Date of death: 6/1/2016
Saint Meinrad Class: PD 2008
Funeral service for Dr. Richard F. Cole was June 7, 2016 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Salem, with Bishop Edward Rice officiating. Full Military Honors were provided after the mass. Arrangements were under the direction of Dent County James & Gahr Mortuary, Salem.Interment was in the Sacred Heart Columbarium.Pallbearers will be the Deacons of the Diocese of Springfield and Cape Girardeau.Cole was born June 11, 1941 in Glendale, Calif., to Richard Marshall and Alice (Earle) Cole. He married June Hines December 28, 1963. They were the parents of five children. Dr. Cole died June 1, 2016 in Cole County at the age of 74 years.Survivors include his wife, June Cole, Salem; children, Richard Clay Cole, Fayetteville, Ark.; Blanca Cole, San Antonio, Texas; Terrance Cole; Leanne Ridner and husband, Jeff, Indianapolis, Ind.; Alissa McClurg and husband, Brian, Parker, Colo.; sister, Nancy Cole, Salem; grandchildren, Jordan Smith, McPherson, Kan.; Ashley Jones and Michele Lewis, Calico Rock, Ark.; and a host of extended family and friends.Preceding him in death were his parents; and one sister, Carol Runnels.Dr. Cole served in the United States Airforce. He graduated from Medical School in 1971 and practiced in Ft. Worth, Texas; Kansas and Salem for 25 years and also in Fort Leonard Wood with the Wounded Warrior Program. Dr. Cole was a Permanent Deacon with the Catholic Church. In addition he volunteered with the Mid Ozark Casa Program.