Carmen K. Cole

Carmen Cole passed away on February 18, 2026 with family surrounding her. Carmen was born December 12, 1936 in LaFountain, Indiana to her father: Oliver G. Melick (deceased); mother: Dorothea Oyler Melick-Weaver (deceased). Carmen’s love of our Lord and Savior was so evident in her life. Carmen was very active in LaFountain schools, playing basketball, cheerleading and acting in plays. Her family was very active in their church. Carmen was very close to her three siblings Elaine Stout (deceased), Merle Melick (deceased); youngest sister LaVon Wert (her pretend twin when they were young) (Largo, Florida). Carmen shared these adventures of her childhood with her children as they grew up. She learned to play the piano like her two sisters, played the french horn in high school band and sang in the choir. Carmen was very family oriented; she treasured her family. As a young lady, she babysat which seems to be when her passion for children began. While attending a technical school for hairdressing, Carmen met Willis Cole on a blind date while he was in college at Butler University Jordan Conservatory of Music. They both loved jokes and having a good time with family and friends. Carmen and Willis were married June 16, 1956 and started their family. After graduation from college, Willis taught music at different schools in and around Indiana. While Willis was teaching, Carmen was home loving their growing family of six children. In 1967, they moved the family to Lantana, Florida. Less than 6 months later they purchased a home in Palm Springs, Florida. While Willis was teaching at schools around Palm Beach County, Carmen was always watching other children in their home with her own children. When her children grew, she started working in Buchanan’s Nursery School in the infant room in West Palm Beach for over 2 years but ended her career serving 20+ years at Brenda’s Small World in the infant room in Palm Springs, Florida.As their 6 children grew and started their own families, yes, you guessed it, she had grandchildren. Carmen and Willis were always busy with Church activities being so devoted to our Lord and Savior. They were such committed Christian’s that while serving at Tropical Sands Christian Church, Carmen served as an elder while Willis served on the piano, he had served since he was very young. Carmen was always involved and part of the Women’s work at any church she served. She was always there to help with the nursery if someone was needed so that the parents could attend the church service. Carmen and Willis were so happy with each new grand child. While Willis was delivering newspapers (38 years) Carmen jumped right in and took Nathan and/or Tim to help deliver the thousands of newspapers out of the car windows. Newspapers were part of a family affair because very early Sunday morning we all got up in the dead of night and folded Sunday newspapers from stacks so high we could barely reach the top. At the time, it didn’t seem fun but as the years go by these are some great memories of family times and laughter. Carmen didn’t know her own strength sometimes she managed to get those news papers on the third floor of an apartment complex and managed to break a window or two. Her humor was always in check by responding the customer needed to clean that window or it got in the way. Carmen’s faith and patriotism were shown every day by flying the American flag and the Christian flag from the front of her home. Carmen and Willis enjoyed retirement, they enjoyed traveling when they could. They went to California while Nathan was in the Navy, they also went with a travel group by tour bus to Branson, Missouri to see the musical shows. They had such a good time making new friends on these trips and talked about silly things they did or saw. Taking them to Plant City for the Strawberry Festival was one of those many magical moments we shared. Getting to go to Graceland, the home of Elvis was such a treat for the two of them to share. They traveled to Ohio; back to Indiana as often as they could to see family, friends and visit places they lived. They loved music together and were always looking for a musical show to go to. Over the years they were able to see Liberace, Andy Williams, Victor Borge, Dino, Red Skelton, Perry Como (some shows they saw more than once) and so many other performers that we can’t remember them all. Carmen’s faith gave her such joy to cook and provide for those she loved. When you walked in her front door you were offered food whether you wanted it or not. She was always preparing food for church family’s in need or bereavement meals because she loved helping and caring this is how she got the nick name “Carmen Betty Crocker Cole”.Carmen was such a loving, caring, tender, care giver especially while caring for Willis in his last years. Carmen’s faith was so strong she knew the Lord was with her and giving her strength to the end. Carmen was greeted at the gate of Heaven by her Husband of 63-1/2 years Willis, her son Terry Cole, Sr; grandson: Terry Cole, Jr.; great grandson: William Cariseo, great grandson; Drake Kessinger, her parents, her brother Merle and big sister Elaine.Carmen is survived by her children: Nathan Cole, Danette Cole, Melanie (Scott) Trobough, Andy (Pat) Cole and Tim Cole. Carmen’s surviving grandchildren: Matthew (Leila) Trobough (Staff Sergeant - United States Air Force) - great grandchildren: Tanner and Samantha.Nicole (Dan) Whiteside - great grandchildren: Ava, Zoe and Raelynn.Mark Trobough (Staff Sergeant - United States Army). Ashley Trobough - (Sargent 1st Class - United States Army).Sarah Guidi (Steve “Bubba” Bergeron) great grandchildren: Lance Corporal Kaiden Kessinger, United States Marine Corp.Steven (Amber) Guidi - great grandchildren: Lilly and Hendrix.J.T. (Brooke) Cariseo - great grandchildren: Tyler Leinenweber, Hunter and Aiden.Joshua (Lauren) Cariseo - great grandchildren: Aurora and Axel.Rebecca (Shimon) Eliezer - great grandchildren: Abby, Cole, Noa, Maora and Hodaya.Great grandson: Christian Cole.Carmen leaves behind her sister, she loved so much, LaVon Wert (Largo, FL), cousins and numerous nieces and nephews, all whom she loved and spoke of with pride.

Funeral Services will be held 11:00 am Friday, February 27, 2026 at Tillman Funeral Home & Crematory, 2170 S. Military Trail, West Palm Beach, Florida. Chaplain Christopher Williams will officiate. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, West Palm Beach, Florida.

The family will receive friends 9:30 am to 11:00 am Friday at the funeral home.