Wilbur O. Cole

Wilbur O. Cole, 88, of Clay City, formerly of Shelby County, passed away Friday, December 26, 2014 at his residence. He was born May 18, 1926, in Hancock County, the son of Lester E. and Lottie (Bass) Cole. In October of 1946, he married his wife of 68 years, Frances I. Suiter, and she survives. Other survivors include his daughter, Emily Sue Grossman and husband, Rick, of Clay County; sister, Josephine Cunningham of Indianapolis; grandsons, Adam Grossman and Nick Grossman; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Jane Christine Cole; brothers, Marshall Cole and Earl Cole; and sister, Kathleen Justus. Wilbur graduated from Morristown High School in 1945 and attended Ivy Tech College. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving from 1944 to 1946, during World War II. Wilbur was a member of the Shelbyville First Church of the Nazarene, F&AM Lodge No. 193, F&AM Lodge No. 759 and American Legion Post No. 70 in Shelbyville. He was a mechanic at Krebs Garage and McWilliams Implement. He retired from KCL Corporation, with 28 years of service, in 1978. Wilbur loved fishing and enjoyed working. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, January 1, 2015 at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Frazier Chapel, 124 E. North St. in Morristown. Masonic ritual will be at 1 p.m. Thursday followed by funeral service, with his grandson, Nick Grossman officiating. Interment will be at Asbury Cemetery in Morristown, with military graveside services conducted by the local military committee. Memorial contributions may be made to the Shelbyville First Church of the Nazarene, 2315 S. Riley Highway, Shelbyville, Indiana 46176 or the donor’s choice of charity.