February 26, 1939 – October 9, 2021
Robert Lee Cole, 82, passed away peacefully at his home in Westfield surrounded by his loving family on Saturday evening, October 9, 2021. Born in Indianapolis on February 26, 1939, he was the son of the late Alva and Ruth Mae (Smith) Cole.
Robert attended Broad Ripple High School and honorably served his country in the National Guard. He was a member and Past Master of the Noblesville Masonic Lodge F&AM #57, a member of the Operating Engineers Local 103 of Indianapolis, and was also a member of Christ Community Church.
During Robert’s 47 years of operating heavy equipment, he worked for numerous companies. He was a proud union operator and loved that he was able to work on a variety of different projects throughout his tenure. The company that he worked with the longest was Tousley-Bixler Construction Company. One of his major projects was putting in some of the wastewater infrastructure for the Town of Sheridan. He considered it one of his legacy projects. He retired as an operator in 2001.
Robert was a workaholic in every sense of the word. Farm life always seemed to tug at his heartstrings, and raising horses was where he found his niche. He enjoyed going to shows and never tired taking his thoroughbred out to the racetrack. Robert was also a car guy. He loved taking his ’57 Chevy to local car shows and visiting with anyone who wandered by.
Though Robert had many hobbies and interests in his life, his passion was his family. He was a loving husband and father, and a wonderful provider. His grandchildren were his pride and joy, and being their Papaw was just about the best thing in the world.
Robert is survived by his loving wife, Sharon Lynn (Van Osdol) Cole of Westfield; son, Robert William Cole (Rhonda) of Westfield; daughters, Julie Kay Leigh (William) of Sheridan, and Lisa Ann Roberts (Johnny) of Westfield; six grandchildren, Jennifer Davis (Jeremiah), James Robert Hamilton (Rita), Whitney Gattis (Jake), Jacob O. Leigh, Kala Stone (Daniel), and Zachary Robert Cole (Jessica); 18 great-grandchildren; and his brother, William Samuel Cole (Patty) of Indianapolis.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Joan Blackburn, and Barbara Schmidt; and by his grandson, Nicholas Reners.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, October 14, 2021, at Kercheval Funeral Home, 306 E. 10th St., Sheridan, with Visitation from noon until the time of service. Burial will follow at Eagle Creek Cemetery in Westfield.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be presented to the Parkinson’s Foundation.
Condolences: kerchevalfuneralhome.com