Donna Lee Cole

DONNA LEE COLE, 91 of Arthur, IL formerly of Rantoul, IL passed away at 11:13 P.M. on Friday, October 25, 2024 at Willow Breeze Hospice House in Mattoon, IL.

Donna, born on July 31, 1933, grew up in St. Louis, MO. The second daughter of John Rex and Minnie Louise (Smith) Baker. She married Ernest Raymond Cole on September 13, 1953, in Charleston, IL.

Donna lost Ray on November 26, 2002, after 49-years of marriage. She was the last of her immediate family, 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, MO 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, IL; and Andrea Pilkington of Rantoul, IL. Also, twelve (12) grandchildren - Tera (Josh) Binkley of Junction City, OH; Dana (Ryan) Solomon of Glenford, OH; Tami (A.J.) Clune of Minster, OH; Daniel (Meghan) Tylka of Lincoln, NE; Michael Tylka of Oklahoma City, OK; Sara DeVore of Decatur, IL; Katie (Laura) DeVore of Greenfield, WI; Amanda Loveless of Loda, IL; Tena (Brandon) Allen and Tasha Pilkington both of Gibson City, IL; and Travis and Amber Pilkington both of Rantoul; and fourteen great-grandchildren.

Mom loved being around people. She was often the life of the party and always the perfect hostess. During her and dad’s time together, they enjoyed watching many of the University of Illinois sporting event and, of course, their weekly bridge game(s). And although she, a huge St. Louis Cardinals fan and dad a Chicago Cubs fan, they never let baseball come between them.

Very much a people person, mom, depending on where we happened to be living at the time (Charleston, Hoopeston, Buffalo, Mattoon, Casey, Sullivan, Rantoul) would take up the hobbies of her new friends – bowling, golf, walking, and card games – Bridge! being her favorite. Over the years she played more and more often and was invited to join more and more groups. At one time in three different bridge clubs!

Mom, like her mother, liked to sew. Both were exceptional seamstresses. Gramma Louise would often surprise us with new clothes for our dolls when we visited her. Mom made a lot of our day-to-day clothes as well as our prom dresses, bridesmaid dresses, and even Caran's wedding dress.

As we girls began to leave home for work, college, and to start our own families, mom returned to work. First as a secretary at the United Methodist Church in Rantoul, then as Administrative Assistant to the Director of Education at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana until her retirement where she made many friends. Mom also began giving back to the community and especially her church - The Vineyard Church in Urbana, of which she was a founding member and involved in several of the church’s ministries for over 35-years.

Mom, and dad, enjoyed traveling. Often to visit family or friends. Even taking a few vacations abroad to Mexico, Belize, and even Spain. After dad passed mom continued her adventures, including a trip with members of her church to New Orleans to assist with cleanup after Hurricane Katrina – always a faithful servant of the Lord. Mom would tell you that her favorite trips (2), by far, were to the Holy Lands in Israel, where she not only was involved in ministry – but also found time to do some shopping. Bring home many b-e-a-u-tiful pieces of art which she cherished and prominently displayed in her homes.

We will miss her dearly. Services will be held at a later date with burial to be in the Arcola Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to The Vineyard Church of Central Illinois.