Table of Contents
Robert Coles
Colonel Robert Nelson “Big Chief” Coles served in the Salvation Army, Volunteers of America, and the American Rescue Workers. His rank of colonel was attained in the American Rescue Workers.
| Colonel Robert Coles | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Rank | Colonel |
| Birth Date | August 1, 1929 |
| Death Date | October 21, 2011 |
| Relations | Martha Coles (wife) |
| Coles Family | |
Obituary
Robert Nelson “Big Chief” Coles, 82, of Waynesboro, Pa., died Friday, Oct. 21, 2011, at his home.
Born Aug. 1, 1929, in Shamokin, Pa., he was the son of the late William Robert and Verna Mae (Doub) Coles.
Robert devoted his life to putting faith into practice through prayer, Scripture and music. He served five years as a Salvation Army officer.
In 1962, he entered the Volunteers of America as an ordained minister and officer.
Known as “Big Chief” Bob Coles, he developed accredited youth and Christmas programs in Elmira, N.Y. Arriving in Hagerstown, Big Chief Coles continued to organize accredited programs by establishing group homes for boys and girls. At the rank of lieutenant colonel, he served for more than 50 years.
Robert remained the national informational officer for the American Rescue Workers. His musical talent involved the exercising of his fingers dancing across keys of the piano, most zealous in his playing.
He was a graduate and the president of the graduating class of the 32nd Degree Masons of the Valley of Corning, N.Y.; a member of 33rd Degree Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Georgia; a member of the Scottish Rite of Valley of Rochester, N.Y.; and a member of The Salvation Army Southern Division. Robert was also a member of First Christian Church in Hagerstown, Volunteers of America Northern Division, American Rescue in Williamsport, Pa., and Life Lutheran Services in Chambersburg, Pa.
He is survived by his loving wife of more than 64 years, Martha Katheryn (Budd) Coles; a son, Robert N. Coles Jr. and wife, Nancy Jo, of Yorktown, Ind.; four daughters, Marsha Pearson and husband, Bill, of Horseheads, N.Y., Emily Coles of Elmira, Verna Brown of Williamsport, Md., and Charlotte Zeis and husband, Tim, of Mercersburg, Pa.; two brothers, William Russell Coles of Pottsville, Pa., and Charles H. Coles and wife, Charlotte, of Manahawkin, N.J.; a sister, Emily Mae Foreman of New York City, N.Y.; 14 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Nelson Robert Coles, who died in 2006; two infant children, Rebecca and Donald Coles; a grandson, Christopher Bauer; a granddaughter, Stephanie Pearson; a brother-in-law, Ronald “Bob” Foreman; and a sister-in-law, Marie Coles.
A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011, at First Christian Church, Hagerstown, with the Rev. Nancy Jenkins officiating. Interment will follow in Rest Haven Cemetery.
Friends will be received one hour prior to the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church, 1345 Potomac St., Hagerstown, MD 21740.
Rest Haven Funeral Chapel, Hagerstown, is in charge of the arrangements.
The Herald Mail Newspaper (Hagerstown, Maryland), October 25, 2011