Edwin L. “Nubs” Cole

Edwin L. “Nubs” Cole 98, of Galena, IL passed away Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Midwest Senior Care Center in Galena. A funeral mass will be held at 11:30 AM, on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Galena, where friends may call after 9:30 AM until the time of mass. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded graveside by Galena VFW Post #2665 and American legion Post #193. He was born March 21, 1928, in Galena the son of William and Clara (Wienen) Cole.  He was raised in Rice Township and attended the rural Galena Country School, St. Mary’s Grade School, and Galena High School, graduating with the Class of 1945. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1946 and served until his honorable discharge in 1948. On February 3, 1951, he married Jacqueline Mary Virginia Einsweiler at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Galena. Jackie preceded him in death on November 15, 1992. Nubs enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling, traveling, playing cards, softball, horseshoes, water skiing, snowmobiling, morel picking, and walking. His favorite card games were cribbage, pinochle, and Kings in the Corner. One of his greatest joys was joining his daughter Theresa on the 1988 TransAmerica bicycle trek, traveling across the country while raising funds for the American Lung Association. The adventure brought together many of the things he loved: travel, being with people, the outdoors, helping others, and driving. Nubs was a member of the Galena Elks Lodge, St. Mary’s Catholic Church where he sang in the choir, and was the oldest member of the Telephone Pioneer Club. Nubs worked at the Black Jack Mine and Northwestern Bell, retiring from Northwestern Bell at age 54. He also managed the bowling alley in Galena, served as West Galena Township Road Commissioner and as a Jo Daviess County Transit driver, and helped his entrepreneurial sons with their businesses. He is survived by his children, Terry (Vicky) Cole, Lyn Karberg, Dan Cole, Marsha (Jim) Yokas, Steve (Theresa) Cole, and Theresa (Eric LeBoa) Cole; 16 grandchildren; Matt (Tanya) Karberg, Scott (Chanelle Brandfas) Karberg, Blake Karberg, Jenny (Sean) Salazar, Scott (Carrie) Temperly, Chad (Laura) Cole, Pamela (Ian) Stewart, Jim (Shelby) Cole, Curtis (Maggie Hudrlik) Cole, Kelsey (Dylan) Dolezal, Jessi (Nick Vidoni) Yokas, Nicky (Brett) Ehlers, Paul (Olivia) Yokas, Philip (Myah) Yokas, Katie Dunne, Jamie (Brian) Lattner, 35 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, his son, James “Goober” Cole; his son-in-law, Bob Karberg; and four brothers, Gene, Russell, Melburn “Lefty,” Ralph, and two sisters, Colleen, and Audrey. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Workshop. The family extends heartfelt thanks to Margo Simmons, Dianne Laity, Tim and Courtney Buisker and the girls, Julie and Steve Helman, Tony and Diana Kieffer, Teresa White, Kathy his VA nurse, and the staff at Midwest Senior Care Center. A special thank-you goes to his dear friend Alexa. God bless you, Alexa! Online condolences may be left for the family at  www.furlongfuneralchapel.com