Omer Lee Coble

Omer L. Coble, 91, of Van Buren, died May 7, 2011 in Van Buren. He was a retired glass worker for Harding Glass Company, a member of the First Baptist Church of Fort Smith, a 32nd degree Mason with Belle Point Masonic Lodge, member of the Stouffer Post of the American Legion and a Veteran of the U.S. Army serving during World War II. He was drafted December 1, 1941 at age 21 and discharged May 12, 1945 after the war. He was assigned to 1st Armored Division, 701st Tank Destroyer Battalion, Company “B” 1st Platoon and was one of only six men from his platoon to survive and return home with the distinction of being the first person from Crawford County honorably discharged after World War II. He was in North Africa, Salerno, Sicily, Anzio, and Rome. The night before Rome officially fell, Omer parked his tank across the entrance of one side of a bridge and a German Panzer tank on the other side. By morning the German Tank was gone.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Edna Rich Coble of the Home; one daughter, Sandy Franks and husband Bill of Van Buren; one son, Roger Coble and wife Saundra of Ozark; grandson, Rhett Franks and wife Angel of Greenwood; granddaughters, Michele Coble of Ozark, Candy White and husband Chris of Lavaca, and Charlie Ridenour and husband Shane of Alma and Julie Sprick and husband Travis of Lavaca; 15 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents Charles Edward and Jennie Rogers Coble.

Funeral service will be Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 1:00 PM in the Edwards Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow at 3:00 PM in the Morgan Hill Cemetery in Ozark, AR all under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Rhett Franks, Donnie Hall, Shane Ridenour, Travis Sprick, James and David Hudson.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Chris White and Stanson Davis

The family will greet friends at Edwards Funeral Home on Monday evening from 5-7 PM.

Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church 1400 Grand Avenue Fort Smith, AR 72901

To sign an online guestbook visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com