Henry Cole

Henry R. Cole, 83, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, March 7, 2005, at Missouri Veterans Home.

He was born Feb. 5, 1922, in Cape Girardeau, son of John C. and Laura Cole. He and Alberta M. Tilley were married Feb. 16, 1951, in Osceola, Ark. She died May 5, 1999.

Mr. Cole was a pilot with several barge lines on the Mississippi River. He then worked as a machine operator at McDonnell-Douglas in St. Louis. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Jackson and received the Minister of Service award.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Survivors include two daughters, Carolyn Jeanne Squalia of Corpus Christi, Texas, Sharon Lynn "Sherry" Reed of Buchanan, Tenn.; a son, John Massa of Lamar, Mo.; a special niece, Karen McClendon of Jackson; seven grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home from 4 to 8 p.m. today.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Carter Frey officiating. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park.

Memorial donations may be made to Southeast Hospice.