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Charles Cole Jr.

Paul E. Bekavac Funeral Home

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | July 07, 2025

Charles Cole Jr., age 89, of Menallen Twp., passed away Sunday, July 6, 2025 at home. An Army veteran, he was a self-employed mechanic for more than 60 years and owned and operated Phil’s Auto in Elizabeth for 15 years. He collected antique cars, was a huge John Wayne aficionado, and enjoyed going to the casino with his wife. Born June 24, 1936 in Uniontown, he was a son of the late Charles Cole Sr. and Rosalee (Teets) Cole. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Susan M. (Gibson) Garber Cole; daughters, Cheryl Cole of Smithton and Eva (Wayne) Holland of Georgia; son, Daniel (Chris) Garber of North Huntingdon; grandchildren, Robert Buchina, Cole Buchina, Alora Marie Holland (Mark) Butler, Wayne Dean Holland, Kelan Garber and Ginerva Garber; 11 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchildren; brother, Ray Metts; also, many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Clarence “Budd” Garber; granddaughter, Sarah Holland Nichols; sisters, Pattie (Ronald) Lewis, Mary Jean (William) Thomas and Shirley Coulson; and best friend, Robert Pirc. Friends will be received in the Paul E. Bekavac Funeral Home, 221 North Second Avenue, Elizabeth, on Thursday, July 10 from 2 PM until the time of funeral service at 5 PM. Private inurnment will be in Round Hill Cemetery, Elizabeth Twp. Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson Foundation of Western Pennsylvania, 850 Cranberry Woods Drive, Suite 2222, Cranberry Twp., PA 16066. Offer condolences at www.bekavacfuneralhome.com.

Originally published July 07, 2025.

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