Gerald L. “Dutch” Bole, 90, of Van Buren, IN, passed away at 4:27 PM on Monday, July 11, 2016 at Heritage Pointe in Warren, IN. He was born on Friday, June 11, 1926, in Farrville, IN. He married his high school sweetheart Ruth Marie (White) Bole, on Saturday, March 11, 1944; together they shared 70 years of marriage to one another. Dutch was a 1944 graduate of Van Buren High School; after school he joined the United States Army and served from 1944-1946 during WWII. Dutch and Ruth devoted much of their lives to support members of the Armed Forces. Dutch brought smiles to all that met him.
He was formerly employed at General Tire & Rubber Co., in Marion, Industrial Traffic Management & Warehousing from 1959-1969, U.S. Government, Van Buren Post Master from 1969-1990 and was the Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs for the State of Indiana from 1996-2006. He was involved in many memberships throughout his life time such as; Van Buren Vol. Fire Dept, Van Buren American Legion Post #368, Grant Co. 40/8, National League of Postmasters, Van Buren Masonic Lodge F&M #711, Grant Co. Scottish Rite, Grant Co. Mizmur Shrine, Ft. Wayne Valley Scottish Rite, Ft. Wayne Mizpah Shrine, Van Buren Chamber of Commerce and the Van Buren United Methodist Church.
Dutch was past Van Buren American Legion Commander, past American Legion Fifth District Commander, American Legion Northern Vice Commander, American Legion State Membership Chairman, American Legion State Commander, National American Legion Consultant on Trophies, Awards and Ceremonials Committee and was the former Veterans Affairs Liaison for Jim Jontz, Fifth District Congressman. He also served on the Council for the Sagamores of the Wabash and was an honorary life member with the Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada. He won the Adjunct General’s Award of Excellence as the Director of Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs in 1994.
Loving survivors include: Daughter – Penny Elaine Bole, Bloomington, IN, Daughter – Brenda Diane Bole, Seattle, WA, Son – Garry (Cheryl) Bole, Indianapolis, IN, Grandchildren – Wendy Welch, Bloomington, IN, Thomas Welch, Lafayette, LA, Timothy Welch, Bloomington, IN, Jeffrey (Danyale) Welch, Bloomington, IN, Great Grandchildren – Suzen (Alan) Petty, Central, SC, Sam Welch, Bloomington, IN, Olivia Welch, Bloomington, IN and 2 Gr. Gr. Granddaughters-Karma Marie & Lilith Rayne.
He was preceded in death by his: Father – Glen Bole, Mother – Alice (Davis) Bole, and Wife – Ruth Marie (White) Bole on June 13, 2014, and Brothers-Kenneth & Uvon Bole.
Family and friends may gather to share and remember at Heritage Pointe Applegate Chapel 801 Huntington Ave. Warren on Friday, July 15, 2016 from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM. During the viewing there will be a Masonic Service starting at 1:30PM given by the Van Buren Masonic Lodge.
A service to celebrate Dutch’s life will follow at 2:00 PM on Friday with the Pastor Gerald Moreland officiating and Pastor Cindy Osgood assisting. Huntington Co. Honor Guard will be in charge of military honors, Post #368 will stand guard. Interment will follow in the Van Buren Cemetery in Van Buren.
Memorial Donations may be made out to: Grant Co. Veteran’s Treatment Center or the Van Buren Vol. Fire Dept.; please send donations to PO Box 376, Van Buren, IN 46991.
Arrangements are being handled by Ferguson & Glancy Funeral Home in Van Buren.
Online condolences may be made atwww.glancyfuneralhomes.com