Table of Contents
Coles
William Coles
+Verna Daub
|-Robert Coles
| +Martha Budd
|-Charles Coles
| +Charlotte Loven
|-Emily Coles
| +Ronald Foreman
| |-Ronald Foreman
| | +Dorine Foreman
| |-Martha Foreman
| |-William Foreman
| |-John Foreman
| |-Ruth Foreman
|-William Coles
William Robert Coles
William Robert Coles was born on February 12, 1909, and died on June 25, 1998.
Obituary
William R. “Pop” Coles, 89, of 1489 Long Run Road, died Thursday, June 25, 1998, at Pottsville (Pa.) Hospital.
Born in Wiconisco, Pa., he was the son of the late George and Martha Coles.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Verna Mae Daub Coles, in 1992.
He worked for 21 years as a coal miner/electrician; and for 25 years as an electrical engineer at Breyers Ice Cream Co. in Philadelphia.
He was given the name “Mr. Salvation Army” because of his volunteer work in Schuylkill County and surrounding areas. He spent many hours gathering food from Farmer's Market and making food baskets, which he delivered to the needy.
He was a member of The Salvation Army Pottsville Corps for 68 years, including service at Shamokin Salvation Army. On holidays, he cooked meals and on Christmas gave toys to children.
He is survived by four children, Charles H. Coles Sr. of Manahawkin, N.J., Emily Foreman of Schuylkill Haven, Robert N. Coles of Hagerstown and William R. Coles of Philadelphia; two sisters, Gloria Huratick of Tower City, Pa., and Dorothy Kearins of Philadelphia; a brother, George Coles of High Spire, Pa.; 20 grandchildren; 50 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Lillian Kulp and Virginia Hunter; and a brother, John Coles.
A public service will be conducted by three of his children, Maj. Charles Coles, Col. Robert N. Coles and Maj. Emily Foreman of the Salvation Army.
A Promoted to Glory service will be conducted Monday at 11 a.m. at The Salvation Army, 400 Sanderson St., Pottsville. Burial services will be conducted by Maj. Paul Mackneer, Pottsville commanding officer pastor, in Schuylkill Memorial Park, Schuylkill Haven.
Verna Mae Daub Coles
Verna Mae Daub Coles was born on November 23, 1910 and died on April 26, 1992.
Obituary
Verna M. Coles, 81, of Friedensburg, died Sunday at her home following a lengthy illness. Born in Mount Carmel, she was a daughter of David and Della Lafferty Daub.
She was active with the Salvation Army and held many local officers' commissions at Salvation Army Corps at Shamokin, Mount Carmel, Darby, Philadelphia and Pottsville. She was most active as the missionary treasurer/secretary, setting a record for the amount of funds raised at the Philadelphia Corps. She was also supervisor of 21 Salvation Army Thrift Stores in the Philadelphia area. She retired in 1972. She was a member of the Pottsville Salvation Army Corps, its Home League and Senior Soldier, and a 65-year member of the Salvation Army Corps.
The youngest of 12 children, she was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Surviving are her husband of 65 years, William R.; three sons, Col. Robert N., who is national public relations director for American Rescue Workers, Hagerstown, Md., William R., doctor of cosmetology, Philadelphia, and Maj. Charles H., development/public relations director at Cincinnati, Ohio, Salvation Army Corps Divisional Headquarters; a daughter, Maj. Emily Foreman, New York City, head of professional women's residents; 20 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; grandnieces and grandnephews.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday from Salvation Army Corps, Pottsville. Col. Robert N. Coles, Maj. Charles H. Coles, and Maj. Emily Foreman, her children, and Maj. Wade Watson will officiate. Interment will be in Schuylkill Memorial Park, Schuylkill Haven. Lord Funeral Home, Pottsville, is in charge of arrangements.
William Russel Coles
William Russel Coles was born on December 26, 1930, and died on January 19, 2018.
Obituary
Dr. William Russel Coles Sr., 87, Branchdale, passed away Jan. 19 at Chestnut Hill Hospital, Philadelphia, with his children, Ron and Marie, and two grandchildren, Elena and Anna, holding his hands.
Born Dec. 26, 1930, he was a son of the late William and Verna Mae Coles.
He earned the rank of sergeant in the Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1952.
He was a PA licensed doctor of cosmetology and owned and operated several beauty salons in Philadelphia.
William was a devout member of the Salvation Army Pioneer Corps and regularly played the cornet, guitar and piano for church services. He served as a clergyman in The Volunteers of America and The American Rescue Workers often feeding hundreds of people with Thanksgiving meals and holiday food baskets.
He worked with his son, Ron, to found Miracles in the Making Inc., a religious nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to the revival and restoration of churches that have closed. Under this new organization, St. Mary's Church, Branchdale, was the first church to be restored and reopened in service to the community in loving memory of his late wife, Marie, who passed away in 2010.
He was also preceded in death by two sons, William R. and Russell W. Coles, and his siblings, the Rev. Col. Robert N. Coles, Maj. Charles H. Coles and Maj. Emily M. Foreman.
William is survived by his children, Ronald R. Coles, Philadelphia, and Marie L. Coles Gewiss, Mechanicsburg. He is also survived by his grandchildren, William R. Coles III, Amy Coles, Elena Gewiss and Anna Gewiss.
A viewing will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at St. Mary's Church, Branchdale. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church. A viewing will be held from 9 a.m. until the time of services. Interment with military honors will follow at Schuylkill Memorial Park, Schuylkill Haven. Grabowski Funeral Home, Schuylkill Haven, is entrusted with the services.