DECATUR - Arthur Thomas Cole, Jr., 66, of Decatur, IL passed away at 4:20 a.m. on Wednesday (Aug. 19, 2009) in Decatur Memorial Hospital. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday (Aug. 24, 2009) in Woodlawn United Methodist Church, Derby, KS with visitation from 9:00 a.m. until service time. Graveside services will be 4:00 p.m. Monday (Aug. 24, 2009) in Plains Cemetery, Plains, KS. Smith Mortuary, Derby, KS is in charge of arrangements in Kansas. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Saturday (Aug. 22, 2009) in Dawson & Wikoff North Chapel, U.S. Highway 51 Decatur, IL. Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Cancer Society . Messages of condolence may be sent to the family via e-mail at www.dawson-wikoff.com. Mr. Cole was born on September 19, 1942 in Mt. Pleasant, MI, the son of Arthur Thomas and Luella Zingery Cole Sr. He received his Bachelor Degree from Fort Hays State University, Hays, KS and his Master Degree from Wichita State University, Wichita, KS. He taught at Howard High School in Howard, KS for three years, then taught Drafting and Driver's Education for thirty years at Derby High School, Derby, KS, retiring in 2006. Mr. Cole was a U.S. Navy veteran. He was a member of the First Christian Church, Decatur, IL and began his Masonic service in 1972 at the Hope Masonic Lodge #155, Howard, KS receiving his 32nd Degree then transferred his membership in 1975 to the Plains Masonic Lodge #367, Plains, KS where he served as Chaplain in 1976. He loved to do various kinds of woodworking. He married Terry F. Packard on June 4, 1966. She preceded him in death on April 18, 2005. He later married Sharon Purviance Hayes on June 3, 2006. Surviving are his wife: Sharon Cole of Decatur, IL; mother: Luella Cole of Newton, KS; son: Eric Thomas (Debra) Cole of Wichita, KS; stepsons: Stephen (Libby) Hayes of Cerro Gordo, IL, Matthew (Laura) Hayes of Madison, WI and David (Meaghan) Hayes of Pewaukee, WI; brother: David (Ginger) Cole of Olathe, KS; sisters: Pat (Phil) DeVoss of Wichita, KS, Karen (Larry) Malcolm of Haysville, KS, Susan (Steve) Clanton of Minneapolis, KS and Kathy Finlay of Overland Park, KS; father and mother-in-law: Alvin and Iona Packard of Plains, KS; father-in-law: John Purviance of Macon, IL; granddaughter: Mackenzie A. Cole of Wichita, KS; step-grandchildren: Joshua Hayes, Jacob Hayes and Hannah Hayes all of Cerro Gordo, IL, Audrey Hayes of Pewaukee, WI; several nieces and nephews also survive. Mr. Cole was preceded in death by his father, his first wife: Terry F. Cole and his brother-in-law: John Finlay. He was a kind and gentle man and a friend to all who knew him. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. Obituary written by family members. Online guest book at www.legacy.com/herald-review/Obituaries.asp



Published in Decatur Herald & Review on August 21, 2009