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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to 
3learn of the death of Francis Eugene "Gene" "Sarge" Cole of 
4Silvis, who passed away on September 11, 2015; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Gene Cole was born in Ottumwa, Iowa on October 11, 
61949 to Grover Paul and Sarah Leticia (nee Rhoades) Cole; he 
7married Janet Caldwell in Agency, Iowa on October 19, 1967; he 
8served in the United States Army for 20 years, retiring in 1989 
9as Sergeant First Class; and
  
 
10    WHEREAS, After retiring from the Army, Gene Cole worked as 
11a welder and truck driver for National Railway; most recently, 
12he was a truck driver for Murray's Transfer in Davenport, Iowa; 
13and
  
 
14    WHEREAS, Gene Cole was a member of Word of Life in Rock 
15Island, the United States Parachute Association, and the 
16National Rifle Association; he enjoyed skydiving and was a 
17talented tattoo artist, owning his own shop for many years; he 
18loved spending time with his family, especially his 
19grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and
  
 
20    WHEREAS, Gene Cole was preceded in death by his parents; 
21his granddaughter, Brenna Geane Haggard; his 2 brothers, Ira 
 
 
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1and Ray Cole; his sister, Elizabeth Laumeyer; and several 
2nieces and nephews; and
  
 
3    WHEREAS, Gene Cole is survived by his wife, Janet; his 3 
4children, Ronald Cole, Carl Cole, and Theresa (Mike) Haggard; 
5his grandchildren, Jessica, Alyssa, Justin, and Jonathan Cole 
6and Kylee and Konner Haggard; his great-grandchildren, Tayvion 
7Cagle and MaKenzie Poteat; his siblings, Myrtle Dell Hamre, 
8Lucille (Dale) Miller, Arlene Palmer, Weltha (Frank) Rojas, 
9Norma (Jerry) Smith, and Clarence Edward Cole; and many nieces 
10and nephews; therefore, be it
  
 
11    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL 
12ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
13Francis Eugene "Gene" "Sarge" Cole, and extend our sincere 
14condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved 
15him; and be it further
  
 
16    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
17presented to  the family of Gene Cole as an expression of our 
18deepest sympathy.