Russel E. “Bucket” Cole, 88, of Harmony Township, NJ passed away on Saturday, June 27, 2015 at the Lopatcong Center in Lopatcong Township, NJ. Russel was born in Still Valley, Pohatcong Township, NJ on August 1, 1926 to the late Edgar and Addie Rush Shoemaker Cole. Russel was a self-employed Dairy Farmer for 25 years, retiring in 1976. He was a graduate of Phillipsburg High School, Class of 1944. Russel served in the US Navy on the Aircraft Carrier USS Franklin CV13, which was known as the ship that will not die, “Big Ben”. Russel enjoyed traveling the country for his ship’s reunions. Russel was a member of Stewartsville Presbyterian Church in Stewartsville, NJ. He was also a member of the American Legion Mecsey-Bishop Post #456 of Stewartsville, NJ; VFW Post #6701 of Washington, NJ; the Stewartsville Grange #121; Sunny Seniors of Phillipsburg; the Stewartsville Area Seniors; The Museum Association USS Franklin CV13;and the Pohatcong Valley Semi-Wild Club. Russel is survived by his wife of 63 years, Margaret Paff Cole; daughters, Donna Diehl and her husband, Larry of Phillipsburg, NJ and Debra Cole of Phillipsburg, NJ; a sister Ethel Bischoff of VA; grandchildren Chelsey and Jesse Diehl; a great-grandson; nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister, Sarah Crouse; and half-brothers, Harry, Donald and Heston Shoemaker. A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, July 3, 2015 at 10am at the Rupell Funeral Home, LLC; 465 Memorial Pkwy; Phillipsburg, NJ 08865. A visitation of family and friends will be held on Thursday, July 2, 2015 from 6pm to 8pm at the funeral home. Burial will be in Stewartsville (Presbyterian) Cemetery; Stewartsville, NJ. In Lieu of Flowers, memorials may be made to Stewartsville Presbyterian Church; 550 N. Main Street; Stewartsville, NJ 08886. Online condolences may be submitted at http://www.rupellfuneralhome.com. – See more at: http://obits.lehighvalleylive.com/obituaries/etpa/obituary.aspx?n=russel-e-cole-bucket&pid=175178281&fhid=21870&eid=sp_ommatch&eid=sp_ommatch#sthash.DNfANALe.dpuf