John Coles

John Coles, 93, Jamestown, died Tuesday, July 27, 2010, at Ave Maria Village, Jamestown.

Mr. Coles was born Sept. 25, 1916, at Kenmare, N.D., the son of Henry Simpson and Minnie (Kabella) Coles. He attended the School of Forestry, Bottineau, N.D., then North Dakota State University, Fargo, N.D., where he received a master’s degree in botany. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in January 1942. He was a pilot during World War II in the 416th Night Fighter Squadron. He served in the Po Valley in northern Italy. He married Audrey Mae on Oct. 31, 1942, at Sacramento, Calif. He returned to North Dakota following his discharge and became assistant county extension agent in Watford City, N.D., then the county agent in Bismarck, N.D. He worked for First National Bank, Bismarck, N.D., as an agriculture representative. He served two terms in the North Dakota Legislature in the early 1960s. They moved to Jamestown in 1966. He was executive vice president for Jamestown National Bank. She died on Oct. 4, 1972. He married Eunice Eckert on March 24, 1979, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Jamestown. He was in the North Dakota National Guard and retired as a major. He enjoyed flying fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.

He is survived by his wife; a daughter, Susan (Dean) Stenehjem, Vancouver, Wash.; three sons, Gary (Patricia), Columbia, Mo., Lynn (Elizabeth), Washington, D.C., and James (Suzanne), Bismarck; and four grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, his parents and a brother, Joe.

Services: 11 a.m. Saturday, Ave Marie Village Chapel, with the Rev. Leon Zavadil officiating.

Visitation: one hour before the service at Ave Marie Village Chapel.

Burial: 3 p.m. Saturday, St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bismarck.

Memorials: to Rough Rider Honor Flights, PO Box 220, Bismarck, ND 58502.

Online guestbook: www. liskofuneralchapel.com

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