Gerald A. McCole

Gerald A. “Jerry” McCole, 82, of Channing, passed away on Thursday, July 14, 2022, at Aspirus Hospital in Iron River. Jerry was born October 22, 1939, in Sagola, son of the late Donald and Lucille (Kassin) McCole. He graduated from Channing High School In 1957 and was a lifelong resident of the area. On October 26, 1957 he married Elizabeth Takala in Channing. Jerry attended MTU for two years and worked for the railroad as a brakeman and conductor. He retired as a supervisor in 1993 after a 30 year career with the railroad. Throughout his career, Jerry continued his education and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in accounting/business from Lake Superior State University the same year he retired. He was a member of St. Rose Catholic Church in Channing, the Sagola Township Sportsmen’s Club, and previously served on the Sagola Township Planning Commission. He was also on the financial committee for St. Rose Catholic Church in Channing and held a governor appointed position for the State of Michigan, State Advisory Council on Aging (SAC). He loved “putzing” in the yard and “tinkering” in his garage, but most of all he loved spending time with his grand-children and great-grandchildren. Jerry is survived by his wife of 64 years, Elizabeth “Betty”; his children, David (Roxanne) McCole of Kingsford, Donald (Debra) McCole of Kingsford, Denise (Terry) Neymeiyer of Hastings, MI, and Dean McCole of Kingsford; brothers, Tom (Kathy) McCole and John (Bev) McCole; sisters, Beverly (Robert) Sitka, Rosemary Shanks, and Kathleen Roebke; sisters-in-law, Alice Jarvis and Kathryn Dennis; a brother-in-law, Richard Takala; 9 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two infant sons, Robert and Johnny McCole; his daughter-in-law, Nancy McCole; his uncles and aunts, Leo (Jane) McCole, Gene (Eleanor) McCole, Napolean (Kathryn) Ducharme; and brothers-in-law, Hugh Shanks, William Roebke, Lyle Jarvis and Leo Dennis. Visitation will be held on Monday, July 25 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain and on Tuesday, July 26 from 10:00 to 11:00 am at St. Rose Catholic Church in Channing. The funeral mass will follow at 11:00 am on Tuesday at the church. Fr. Janusz Romanek will offer the Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will be in Channing Cemetery. Condolences to the family of Jerry McCole may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.

Gerald A. McCole

October 22, 1939 - July 14, 2022