Ellis “Arlo” Cole 91 of Tonica, passed away peacefully on December 23rd, at Lacon Rehab and Nursing Home in Lacon, IL. A funeral service will be held on December 30 at 1:00PM in the Burgess Funeral Home in LaSalle. Pastor Phil Jackson, Pastor of the United Methodist Church in Tonica will officiate. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Utica. A flag folding ceremony will be conducted by the LaSalle / Oglesby Veterans Memorial Group. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Tuesday from 11:30 to the time of services.
Arlo was born on December 24, 1933 in Ramsey, IL to Samuel and Blanche (Baldwin) Cole.
He honored his country by serving in the Navy.
He married his best friend and the love of his life, Virginia Peek on May 24, 1953 in Pana, IL. They were married for seventy-one years until she passed on May 1, 2025.
For over thirty years he was employed by PQ Corporation in Utica, as a Maintenance Mechanic. He was employed by Marshall County as a Deputy for ten years.
He loved being around his family and friends when ever possible. He and his wife loved to do gardening together, and fish together. He belong to Local 203, and served as president for twenty years.
He is survived by one son; Randy (Tracee) Cole of Peru, and one daughter; Sandy (Marty) Sadnick of Tonica. Several grandchildren, nieces and nephews. One brother; Ralph Cole of Oklahoma, and one sister; Sherry Stickney of Peru.
He is preceded in death by: his wife (2025), and two sisters.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the family for his favorite charities.
On line condolences maybe expressed at www.burgessfh.com
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