Fred Cole, 89, died Feb. 16, 2006, at Hospice House.

He was born Jan. 7, 1917, in Hutchinson, the son of Author Thomas and Elizabeth Black Cole. A lifetime Hutchinson resident, he was a retired storekeeper for Morton Salt Co. for 34 years.

He belonged to the Baptist Faith, and was a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Bob Campbell Post No. 1361, and 40-year member of the Hutchinson Water Sports Club. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran in World War II, enlisting the week after Pearl Harbor was bombed. He went to Chicago for training and was shipped out on the Battleship USS Mississippi, and later served on the Battleship USS New Jersey, as First Gunner Mate, serving until Oct. 22, 1945.

On Oct. 5, 1943, he married Cecilia V. "Pat" Kahler. She survives.

Other survivors include: two daughters, Diana Lynn Cartwright and her husband Tom, Edmond, Okla., and Michelle Lea Ratzloff, Hutchinson; two brothers, Bruce and George Cole, both of Hutchinson; two sisters, Christina Puckett, Wichita, and Dorthy Graddick, Nevada; six grandchildren, Steven and his wife, Wendi Cartwright, Texas, Jason and his wife, Caitlin Cartwright, California, Chris and his wife, Michelle Ratzloff, Buhler, Nicole and her husband Josh Lehr, Hutchinson, Shaun and his wife, Jessika Ratzloff, Hutchinson, and Kevin Ratzloff, Hutchinson; and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by four brothers, Tom, Lester, Bill and Art; and three sisters, Naomi Bottoms, Betty Swepston and Ivy Ross.

Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Elliott Chapel, Hutchinson, with Chaplain Fred Obold presiding. Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Penwell-Gabel's Memorial Park Cemetery, with military graveside rites conducted by the Naval Honor Guard of Wichita.

Memorials may be sent to Hospice of Reno County, in care of the funeral home.

Personal condolences may be sent to www.elliottmortuary.com