Virginia Stolle Cole

Virginia Stolle Cole, 92 of Botkins, OH, departed this life at 12:15 a.m., December 4, 2010. Born February 28, 1918 in Botkins, OH, she is preceded in death by her husband of over forty years, Merle “Bucky” Cole, her parents, Harry and Julia Stolle, and her sister, Dolores Stolle. She is survived by her two sons Bob (Barbara) and Jack (Linda) and two daughters Beverly Staudt and Valerie Gillespie, and grandchildren, Tom (Michelle) Cole, Kimi (Dave) Brown, Kristina (Ray) Diederich, Kelly (David) Goff, Angie (Joe) Smith, Julie (Eric) Mestemaker, Lori (Steve) Pettitjean, Christine (Don) Riepenhoff, Hal (Sheila) Gillespie, Cole (Sarah) Gillespie, and step-grandchildren, Mike Butcher, Tim (Nikki) Butcher, and great grandchildren, Brittany, Mallory, Natalie, Emily, Mackenzie, Ryan, Gavin, Nathan, Cameron, Kayden, William, Tyler, Jordan, Cassandra, Caroline, Daniel, Haley, Grace, Hal, Graeme, Ava, Gray, and step-great grandchildren, Dakota, Sierra, Kole, Heather, and Shelbi. After graduating as class valedictorian from Botkins High School, Virginia worked as a secretary in the School of Agriculture at The Ohio State University in Columbus. She married the late Merle “Bucky” Cole on February 3, 1939 and returned to Botkins. Virginia was an active member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Botkins, where she sang in the choir, was a soprano soloist at many weddings, was in the Alter Rosary Sodality and served in various ministries. A life long democrat, she served as presiding judge at the poling headquarters in Botkins for many years. When her four children were raised, Virginia turned her life ling love of reading and books into a career by becoming a well respected and knowledgeable dealer of collectible and antique books. After Bucky’s death in 1979, Virginia pursued her passion for traveling. She journeyed throughtout the US and to Europe, Asia, Scandinavia, and Japan that included visits to many of the foreign exchange students she had sponsored. Virginia spent the final years of her life in Minster at the Heritage Manor and in Wapakoneta at the Gardens and Auglaize Acres. Sincere gratitude is expressed to the wonderful people who loved and cared for Virginia and made her last years comfortable and memorable. God bless you. A funeral mass, officiated by Rev. Matthew Lee, in celebration of Virginia’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tues. Dec. 7, 2010, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Botkins. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the mass at the church. Burial will follow in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Botkins. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name may be made to the Botkins Public Library.

Virginia Stolle Cole

February 28, 1918 - December 4, 2010