Leon “Mick” Matthew Cole

August 2, 1936 - October 5, 2020

Leon “Mick” Cole, 84, West Lafayette, IN, formerly of Louisville, KY, passed away peacefully at St Vincent Seton Specialty Hospital, Indianapolis, IN, on October 5, 2020. He was born August 2, 1936, at St Mary’s of The Woods, Terre Haute, IN, to the late Roy and Edna (Diskin) Cole. Leon married his best friend and the love of his life, Patricia “Pat” Lou Mudd, on September 12, 1953. They celebrated 67 years of marriage shortly before his death. Leon was a 1954 graduate of Anderson High School in Anderson, IN. With Pat by his side, Leon continued his education, graduating in 1958 from Rose Polytechnic Institute, later known as Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, earning his Bachelor of Science Degree with Honors in Chemical Engineering. He was a member of Tau Beta Pi Honor Society and earned class honors all four years at Rose. After graduation, Leon went on to earn his professional engineering license and was an accomplished Chemical Engineer, working in Advanced Development for multiple corporations during his career, most recently retiring from Pfizer as a Plant Manager.

Leon loved his large family and worked tirelessly to plan elaborate and fun family reunions. He enjoyed playing cards with friends, including Euchre and Bridge. As an avid outdoorsman, Leon loved to fish and take his sons deer hunting. He and Pat traveled and took many vacations with family. As a young man, he was an excellent boxer, basketball and softball player, and coach. Leon was a devout and loyal Catholic and a member of The Knights of Columbus. He was a lifelong supporter of Saint Meinrad Archabbey and Sisters of Providence of St Mary’s of the Woods. Dedicated to church and his community, Leon not only supported each financially but also with service, as a member of Rotary International, United Way Board of Directors, Founding Father of the Boys and Girls Club in Wisconsin Rapids, WI, to mention only a few. Leon was presented with the American Hometown Leaders Award while serving as Town Supervisor in Wisconsin Rapids, WI, in 1996. He was a quiet and humble man and even his family didn’t know the magnitude of his generosity and community service.

Leon was preceded in death by his parents, his six brothers (Norman, Cyril, Don, Martin, Louis, John J.) and his two sisters (Ruth, Mary Edna) and is survived by his wife, Patricia L. Cole, his six children and their spouses (Cindy and Steve Walden, Chris and George Sotiropoulos, Vicki and Jim LaGuire, Cheryl and Drew Briscoe, Carl Cole, Pete and Angela Cole). Leon is also survived by 23 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. The family is planning a celebration of life for Leon at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in the name of Leon Matthew Cole to the following organizations or a charity of your choice: St Meinrad Archabbey, 200 Hill Drive ,St Meinrad, IN, 47577 or at www.saintmeinrad.edu or to Sisters of Providence of St Mary’s of the Woods, 1 Sisters of Providence Road, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN 47876 or at https://spsmw.org or to The Boys and Girls Club of Wisconsin Rapids Area, 501 17th Street South, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494 or at www.bgcwra.org.

Soller-Baker Funeral Homes, Inc.

Susie Betulius

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Peter and Family, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Wanted you know that you have been in my thoughts and prayers. If there is anything I can do for you, please let me know.

Dear Pat and Family, I am very sorry to hear of the passing of Leon. He was a good boss and a great family man. He sure did lots for the WR community. You have my deepest sympathy. Karen Ziemnick

Pat, we were so sorry to hear about Leon's passing. Have a lot of fond memories from the Pfizer days working with Leon. Sending our love and sympathy as we keep you in our prayers. Gary and Peggy Heil

Dear Pat and family, Lynn and I were so sorry to read about Mick's passing. Our thoughts drift back to Eden and Sparta street and many memories so long ago. That brings a smile to my face. Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

Sending prayers and hugs to you and your family! Love you Cheryl?

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Dear Aunt Pat, Cindy, Chris, Vicky, Cheryl, Carl, and Peter, I was so sorry to hear of Uncle Mick's passing. He was a very special man and I know he will be greatly missed. I have only good memories of him, and of all of you. You will all be in our prayers in the coming days and weeks. May the God of peace comfort and sustain you.

I am so saddened to hear of Uncle Mick's passing. I’m praying for comfort for you, his family, because I know this is a deep loss. Uncle Mick represented family to me. He was loved and admired by both my dad and my mom. They were proud of all he had accomplished. Even though I only made it to one of the Cole family reunions in Terre Haute, I know my dad really looked forward to them and appreciated Uncle Mick’s work to make them happen. At the one I that did attend, I remember how much fun your family seemed to be having. You were all wearing matching shirts and it was easy to see how big your family was and how much you enjoyed being together. Uncle Mick looked so happy and so proud of you all. I was actually a little jealous, but in a good way. After I lost my dad, Uncle Mick was such a comfort and strength to me. Through the years I didn’t get to see him enough, but every time I was around hm I felt love and comfort. So I send my love & comfort to all of you.

So sorry to learn of Leon's death. He and Pat touched my life in many ways when I was pastor at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Wisconsin Rapids. I am very grateful for that. In one of life's interesting little coincidences, just two days ago I sent out an important letter to someone and in the process did something I almost never do. On the envelope I wrote "Personal and Confidential" and thought to myself, "I remember that Leon Cole always wrote that on every letter he sent me when I was pastor. I wonder how he and Pat are doing." My prayers and sympathy to Pat and family, and may God embrace his good servant Leon in the fullness of his love.

Aunt Patty and family, My heart is broken for you all. I hope that my prayers for you all will be a comfort in the days to come. We will always remember our Uncle Mick as the kind, sweet and loving man that he was. We love you all and are so very sorry for your loss. Love, Debby Cole Craig and family.

Pat and family, We are so sorry to hear of Leon’s passing. He was always such a nice guy, great neighbor when you lived on Big Timber Circle. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Love, Steve and Kitty

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.