Benjamin Arthur Cole
Benjamin Arthur Cole, Jr., age 36, of Eaton Rapids, Michigan, passed away on May 5, 2026. He was born on February 17, 1990, in Lansing, Michigan. Ben was the son of Benjamin Cole Sr. of Sun City, Arizona, and Jennifer Cole of Eaton Rapids, Michigan.
He was a devoted father to his two children, Nolan Jeffery (12) and Elaina Roxanne (9), who were the center of his world. He is also survived by his siblings Bethany Cole, Jennifer Barnes, and Dan Cole, as well as Alexis Yerden, the dedicated mother of his children, and many extended family members and friends. He held a special place in the lives of many children who knew him as the “fun uncle,” always ready with a joke, a game, or a moment of kindness.
Ben graduated from Eaton Rapids High School and went on to build a strong work ethic through his roles as a Retail Associate at Ace Hardware and Rite Aid. No matter the job, Ben took pride in working hard and striving to be the best he could be.
A lifelong lover of baseball, Ben played throughout his youth and high school years and continued his passion by playing on local teams and coaching players of all ages. He was an enthusiastic fan of University of Michigan athletics, the Detroit Tigers, and the Lansing Lugnuts, rarely missing a chance to cheer on his teams or debate a call as if he were right there on the field.
Ben had a personality that filled every room. He was funny, outgoing, and full of life—quick to tease, quicker to compliment, and always able to make people laugh. He had a gift for lifting spirits, whether it was with humor, encouragement, or simply his presence.
His love for others showed in the way he gave his time freely and treated people with genuine kindness. If someone needed help, Ben was the kind of person who showed up.
Above all else, Ben was proud to be a father. He would have said that his greatest accomplishment in life was Nolan and Elaina. His time with them meant everything to him, and his love for them was constant, deep, and unmistakable.
Those who knew Ben will remember the laughter. They’ll remember the stories, the jokes, the way he could turn even an ordinary moment into something memorable. He had a way of connecting with people that left a lasting impression, and his absence will be deeply felt by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Following cremation, a memorial service will be held in June, with details to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Eaton Rapids Teen Space in Ben’s honor.
Ben’s life reminds us to show up, to give our time, to be kind, and to find laughter wherever we can. That’s how he lived—and how he will be remembered.
A special note for his children:
To Nolan and Elaina, your dad’s world began and ended with you. There wasn’t a conversation he had that didn’t somehow come back to how proud he was of you both. He loved being with you—whether it was playing, laughing, teaching, or just spending time together. That love doesn’t go away. It stays with you, in your hearts, in your memories, and in the way you carry yourselves through life. You were his reason, his light, and his greatest gift.