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Hershel was born to Hershel LeRoy and Rebecca May (Smith) Cole in Adrian, MO. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Adrian and was baptized November 7, 1943. He attended all school years at Adrian and graduated in 1961. On January 22, 1965, he married Kay Cole, and to this union had one daughter, Dondria; and raised 2 step-children as his own, Dusty Warren and Jay Warren. He had many retirements, which he was very proud of, but he was most proud of his military service and retirement. He officially retired from the United States Air Force on July 9, 2003, with 35 years, 3 months, and 5 days of service.
In his non-military life, Hershel retired from Federal Service on August 1, 2003. He was employed as a Federal Police Officer in 1978 and later promoted to Investigations, as an investigator for the Internal Revenue Service where he finished out his career with the government. In 1996, he became a reserve police officer for the Adrian Police Department and was later promoted to Police Chief after he retired from federal employment. In 2018, he became the Mayor of Adrian and served for two terms. When Hershel got sick he stuck with it until the end of his second term in 2022.
Hershel's favorite hobbies were centered around all things military and political. His military friends would say he was an absolute true patriot. He loved his country with every ounce of his being. He struggled the last few years seeing his country, that he fought for and went to battle for many times, crumble before him. It has been incredibly heartbreaking for him to watch and he would tell you about it. He was a very opinionated person, which you would see show up on Facebook or in general conversations. He was the kind of person you absolutely loved or did not, and it did not make a difference to him. He spoke truth, was a man of his word, and expected the same in return. Some would say he was a very unique person. Another passion of his was that of his cars and his Harley soft tail deluxe. His current prized possession was his 2004 Corvette. Up until a month ago, he would still make his way out to the garage to try and clean and shine some more on the already immaculate car. He never owned a dirty car. He also loved his wife and children, and was oh so proud of his grandchildren.
Hershel was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Kay; one sister, Mary Ann Dent; and a great-niece, Rachel Dent. He is survived by his daughter, Dondria (Doug) McGuire of Butler, MO; step-sons: Dusty (Annette) Warren of Butler, MO; and Jay (Sharon) Warren of Butler, MO; grandchildren: Breezy McLay (James), Peyton McGuire, Carlie Warren, DJ Warren, Hailey Burgess, Ben Burgess, Aaron Warren (Courtney), Dylan Warren; great-grandchildren: Landon McLay, Adam McLay, Graham Mclay, Madison Priest, Cole Priest, Kyson Burgess, Doyle Francis, and Erin Warren; along with nieces, nephews, and cousins.
