Donna Cole Obituary

ARTHUR - Donna Lee Cole, 91, of Arthur, formerly of Rantoul, passed away at 11:13 p.m. Oct. 25, 2024, at Willow Breeze Hospice House in Mattoon.

Donna was born on July 31, 1933, and grew up in St. Louis, the second daughter of John Rex and Minnie Louise (Smith) Baker. She married Ernest Raymond Cole on Sept. 13, 1953, in Charleston. Donna lost Ray on Nov. 26, 2002, after 49 years of marriage.

She was the last of her generation, preceded in death by her parents; stepfather, Lloyd Zimmer; her older sister, Alice Donahue and her husband, Donald; and her younger brothers, Thomas Baker and John Baker and his wife, Mary, all from the St. Louis area. She was also preceded in death by a son-in-law, Bill Pilkington.

She is survived by her daughters, Teresa (Dick) Folk of Junction City, Ohio, Vanessa (Daniel) Tylka of Kansas City, Mo.; Caran (Richard) Devore of Sullivan and Andrea Pilkington of Rantoul; 12 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Mom loved being around people, the life of the party and the perfect hostess. She and dad enjoyed watching any University of Illinois sporting event and their weekly bridge game. And although she was a huge St. Louis Cardinals fan and dad, a Chicago Cubs fan, they never let baseball come between them.

As we girls grew up, mom returned to work. First as a secretary at the Rantoul United Methodist Church, then as administrative assistant to the director of education at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana until her retirement. Mom also began giving back to the community, especially her church. The Vineyard Church in Urbana, a founding member and involved in several of its ministries for over 35 years.

We will miss her dearly.

Services will be held later at the Arcola Cemetery.

Edwards Funeral Home in Arcola is assisting the family.