Herbert B. Cole, 79, of Seneca, KS, died Monday, February 5, 2001, at Crestview Manor in Seneca. He had been a resident there since August 31, 1995.

He was born September 19, 1921, at Temple, TX, the son of James A. and Ella Brown Cole. He lived in several different states while he was growing up and graduated from Lincoln High School in Billings, MT. He entered the U.S. Army in 1941 during World War II and served in the South Pacific. Following his discharge in 1945, he returned to Montana and was employed by the highway department and the railroad. Later he moved to St. Joseph, MO, where he was employed as a steam engineer for a laundry and as a surgical technician for Methodist Hospital in St. Joseph for several years.

In 1951 he married Billie Joan Smith. They were later divorced.

He was a member of the Baptist Church.

Survivors are a daughter, Crystal Cole of St. Joseph, MO; two brothers, James Cole and David Cole, both of California.

Graveside services with full military honors will be 11 AM Thursday at the Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth, KS.

Memorials may be given for Crestview Manor, 808 North 8th St., Seneca, Kansas 66538.

Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca is in charge of arrangements.