Ward G. Cole, 88, of Bellefonte, passed away on Saturday August 9, 2025, surrounded by his family at Eagle Valley Personal Home Care in Milesburg. Born on March 5, 1937, in Williamsport, he was the son of the late Carl C. And Florence I. (Billett) Cole. On August 23, 1958, he married his beloved wife, Sally (Taylor) Cole, who survives at home after sharing nearly 67 years of marriage together.
Ward was a 1955 graduate of Bellefonte Area High School where he excelled in sports playing both football and basketball. After graduating Ward served in the United States Army from 1955-1957. Upon returning home, he worked for Cerro Metal Products in the sales department for 42 years, retiring in 1999.
Ward always loved sports and was an avid golfer and later in life bowled in the Bellefonte Senior League. Ward also often talked about playing on Bellefonte’s first Little League baseball team in 1949 as being the “best summer of his life”.
In addition to his wife, Sally, he is survived by their three children, Jody Anderson and her husband Ken of Charlottesville, Virginia, Charles Cole of Bellefonte and David Cole and his wife Michele of Bellefonte, by six grandchildren, Daniel Cole and his wife Krista, Meghan Pearson and her husband Joe, Kenneth Anderson and his wife Elizabeth, Jenna Rankin and her husband Zach, Logan and Lexi Cole. Also surviving are four great grandchildren, Rowan and Warren Cole, Nora Jane Rankin and Baker Anderson.
Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his two sisters, Barbara Hauser and Peggy Eckley and daughter-in-law, Lori Cole.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Eagle Valley Personal Care Home and Hospice 365 for their exceptional care for Ward during the past several months.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Bellefonte Little League, Eagle Valley Personal Care Home, or Hospice 365.
Online condolences may be made to the family at wetzlerfuneralhome.com.