John Leon Cole, 81, of Kenyon, died unexpectedly, Friday, May 17, 2013 at his home in Kenyon. He was born March 22, 1932 in Kenyon, Minnesota the son of John Shirley and Dorothy (Smythe) Cole. He was baptized and confirmed at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenyon. He graduated from Kenyon High School in 1950. He entered the United States Navy and served two tours of duty during the Korean War. He was stationed aboard the USS Calvert for two years, then the USS Eldorado for two years. He married Lila Mae Luebke on November 20, 1955 at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kenyon. John was employed as a construction electrician; building traffic signals, street lights, athletic fields, and airports. He was a member of the I.B.E.W. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local #288, Waterloo, IA and Local #110 St. Paul, MN. John was a lifetime member of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kenyon. He was a life member of the VFW Post #141, where he served as past Commander and District Officer. He served as the Mayor of Kenyon and on City Council for 16 years. He received the Kenyon Citizen of the Year Award and Goodhue County Citizen of the Year Award. He was a board member and past president of the Goodhue County Red Cross. He served as the Red Cross Disaster Chairman for Southwest Goodhue County for 35 years. He was a board member of the South Eastern Minnesota Multi County Housing Redevelopment, Kenyon Land Company, Kenyon Cemetery Association, and Twin City Post Card Club. He was president and board member of the Roseview Apartments. He was elected Commander of the Calvert Association for 30 years organizing reunions of over 700 people and published a semi-annual Association Newsletter. He was General Chairman of the All School Reunion and Kenyon City Sesquicentennial. He published three books, 'All School Reunion', 'Post Card of Kenyon', and 'Business History of Kenyon Moland Too'. He also wrote numerous stories for various magazines and newspapers, including the Kenyon Leader 'View From The Past'. He is survived by his wife Lila Mae Cole of Kenyon; three daughters, Lyn (and Charles) Clarke of Kenyon, Wendy (and Darrel) Rossow of Faribault, Sherry (and John) McDonald of Faribault; seven grandchildren, Cory Cole, Noah Clarke, Christie, Heather, and Heidi Rossow, Scott (and Julie) McDonald, and Kelly (and Alex) Zweber; two great grandchildren, Samuel and Lewis Zweber; brother, Jeff (and Mary Pat) Cole of Red Wing; brother-in-law, Luverne Schlobohm of Owatonna; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, son, Dean, and sister, Joan Schlobohm. Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home, Kenyon on Sunday, May 19, 2013 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM and on Monday from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM. Funeral services will be held Monday, May 20, 2013 at 10:30 AM at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kenyon with The Reverend Luther Mathsen officiating. Interment will be in the Kenyon Cemetery. Visitation: 05/19/2013 16:00 05/19/2013 20:00 Service: and one hour prior to the service at the church 05/20/2013 10:30