Gilbert E. Cole, 88, of Dallas, Texas, died of heart failure on Wednesday at Dallas Medical City.

Born in Port Vue, McKeesport, on Sept. 17, 1919, to Rev. George O. Cole and Anna Julian Cole, he lived in the Pittsburgh area until 2004 when he moved to Dallas.

Mr. Cole's career in the food industry spanned almost 70 years. He began as a food store clerk then progressed to manager, then buyer for Thorofare Supermarkets of Pittsburgh. He later became self-employed, owning and operating several Foodland Supermarkets. From the early 1980s until retirement, he owned and operated the Mister Donut Shop and Gentle Touch Laundromat in Cranberry Township.

Mr. Cole was a member of the First Christian Church, a Free and Accepted Mason, and a WWII Veteran.

Surviving are three daughters, Marlene of Indianapolis, Corinne of Dallas, and Kimberly and her husband, Ronald, of Wemley, Canada; three grandchildren, Jadon, Cheryl and Amy; one great- grandson; and four sisters, Alice Crookham of California, Mildred Agee of Missouri, and Grace Baughman and Judy Hannon, both of Ohio.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Elsie Ida Cole, who died May 12, 2004; one daughter, Beverly; and nine siblings.

<B>COLE</B> — Friends and family of Gilbert E. Cole, who died Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008, will be received from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday at the <B>GLENN-KILDOO FUNERAL HOME</B>, 130 Wisconsin Ave., Cranberry Township, where a funeral service will follow at 4 p.m. Wednesday with the Rev. Fred Agree officiating.Interment will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Belle Vernon Cemetery, Rostraver Township.Online condolences and directions are available at www.glennkildoofuneralhome.com.