Sylvester R Cole

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 17, at 3:00 p.m. at the Beach Pub, 1022 W. Front St., Buffalo, IA. A private burial will be held at a later date in the National Cemetery, Rock Island Arsenal, IL.

Mike was born on December 10, 1946, in Iowa City, IA, the son of Ralph and Wilma (Svobada) Cole. He grew up in Fairport, IA, and entered the US Marine Corp where he served several tours in Vietnam as he made a career of the few, the proud, the Marines. He retired after 24 years as a Seargent Major. The Marine Corp was his life.

After retirement Mike hosted the Marine Corp birthday on November 10th each year. The Beach Pub will continue this each year in his honor.

Mike is survived by his wife, Gale; son, Dean (Amy) Cole, Davenport; bonus son, Marcos (Kimberly) Meraz, Cedar Rapids; daughter, Casey (Michele) Gushok, AZ; step-sons, Russell Burmeister, Buffalo, and Rick (Joyce) Burmeister, Blue Grass; sisters, Norma (Tim) Steizner and Sherry Morgan, Muscatine; brother, Dean (Beth) Cole, Muscatine; brother-in-law, Jim Stecher, Muscatine; and many grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Wilma VanDee, Betty Fowler, and Dory Stecher; brothers, Vernie and Donnie Cole; brothers-in-law, Denny Morgan and Pat VanDee; nephew, Jimmy Dean Cole; step-sons, Ron and Randy Burmeister; and life-long friend, Butch Atkins.

Hoorah!