Shirley J. Cole

Danville - Shirley Jean (Wheeler) Cole passed away peacefully on March 3, 2025 at her daughter’s home in Kokomo, Indiana. She was surrounded by lots of love and all three of her children were with her when she died. Born August 26, 1932 in Springfield, Illinois, she was the eldest daughter of Harry Wilson Wheeler and Bertha Louise (Noll) Wheeler. She grew up in Springfield, residing with her parents and five siblings in a little 20’ by 20’ Sears kit home built by her parents. She attended Enos Elementary School and Elliott Avenue Baptist Church. After graduating from Lanphier High school, she worked for a year and then attended the University of Illinois. In college she lived at Stratford House and attended University Baptist Church, where she met the love of her life, David George Cole. They were married on June 14, 1953 in Champaign, Illinois.

In 1954 Shirley and David welcomed their first son, Steven David, and in 1955 their young family moved to Dommartin-les-Toul, France where Dave served in the army for two years. They lived in an apartment in a private home and enjoyed many weekend trips around Europe. When they returned to the states they moved to Jerseyville, Illinois where two more children were added to the family, Timothy Bruce in 1958 and Margaret Ann in 1959. In 1961 they moved to Danville, Illinois.

Shirley was an active member of Ridgeview Baptist Church in Danville; she served in many roles and especially enjoyed teaching Sunday School and directing church camp at Lake Springfield Baptist Camp. She taught kindergarten at Northeast Elementary School and tutored homebound students. She taught English as a Second Language at Danville Area Community College, where she befriended many refugee and immigrant families. She loved being a Girl Scout leader. She was a founding member and past president of P.E.O. Chapter LT. She loved camping, traveling, ski trips with her dear friend Ollie, and most of all, her family.

Surviving are her children Steven and Timothy Cole of Danville, and Margaret (Jeffery) Sexton of Kokomo, Indiana; grandchildren Stephanie Proietti, Fawn (David O’Hara) Cole, Samuel (Elizabeth), Benjamin (Teresa), Matthew, Mark, Bryan (Megan), and Owen Cole, Joshua (Sharese) Fearnow-Sexton, and Cassius (Sebastian) Blackwood; great-grandchildren Gabriel Jiles, Ethan Stevenson, Isaiah Jensen, Malia Williams, Edward Blackwood, and Mia, Amelia, Iris, Evan, Hazel, Abel, Gabriella, Josiah, Annabelle, Nathaniel, and Broden Cole; and her sister Betty Griggs of Fernandina Beach, Florida. She was preceded in death by her husband David in 2018 after 65 years of marriage, her parents, brothers Harry and Kenny Wheeler, and sisters Marilyn Hatcher and Nancy Getz.

Visitation will be 4 to 6pm Sunday at Ridgeview Baptist Church, 3838 N. Vermilion, Danville, Illinois and 10 to 11am Monday. A Celebration of Life will be at 11am Monday at the church with Rev. Dr. Jeffery Sexton officiating. Burial will be in Spring Hill Cemetery in Danville, Illinois. Arrangements have been entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 3940 N. Vermilion St., Danville, IL 61834. Memorials may be placed to Ridgeview Baptist Church.

Please join Shirley's family in sharing memories, photos, and videos on her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.