Rhonda J. Cole

Rhonda Jean Cole, 57, of Shelbyville, IL, was eternally healed at 10:23 a.m. Sunday, November 24, 2024, at Memorial Medical Center, Springfield, IL, surrounded by family.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Saturday, November 30, 2024, at Mt. Pleasant Church of God, Assumption, IL, with Rev. Dan Watkins officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. – noon Saturday in the church. A private family burial will be held at a later date in Locust Grove Cemetery, near Assumption, IL. Memorials may be made to the Todd A. Cole Memorial Scholarship Fund. Arrangements are by Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL. 

Rhonda was born on October 7, 1967, in Grand Rapids, MI, the daughter of Ronald J. and Gloria Mae (Lankheet) Bosgraaf. She graduated from Shelbyville High School in the Class of 1985 and went on to attend Dorothy Chrysler School of Beauty in Effingham, IL. She married Larry August “Gus” Cole on November 21, 1987, at Locust Grove Church and they were blessed with three children, Trevor, Todd and Amanda. Rhonda worked as a hairdresser at Fashion Chateau and assisted with orders at Druby’s, both in Shelbyville. She later worked at Family Drug and as a teller at Community Banks of Shelby County until 2012, when she began helping on the family farm. The farm kept her busy with errands, providing meals, bookkeeping, and secretarial duties. During election cycles, she enjoyed engaging with the public as an election judge for Ridge Township.

Rhonda loved all the pretty flowers, watching for hummingbirds to arrive, socializing with everyone she’d meet, photographing the beauty in sunsets, and finding “pennies from Heaven.” She loved most of all, though, her title as “Nana,” deeply loving each of her grandchildren. Rhonda had a smile that could brighten a room and a hug that could warm you to your core. She was a genuine care provider: reaching out to those she was concerned about, taking care of her son, Todd, during illnesses, and knowing just how to help others in times of grief. Rhonda was also steadfast in her faith, attending bible study before Sunday morning services at Mt. Pleasant Church of God, where she was a beloved member. It is because of her devout faithfulness as a servant of God that we, as a family, are comforted knowing right where she is, in the arms of Jesus rejoicing in reunion with the loved ones that she missed here on earth and knowing that we will see her again one day.

Rhonda is survived by her husband, Gus; son, Trevor Cole and wife Cortney of Shelbyville, IL; Amanda Cole (Scott Russell) of Shelbyville, IL; six grandchildren, Charleigh August Cole, Colson August Russell, Anson Todd Cole, Aidan James Schumacher, Anderson Louis Schumacher, and Ava Marie Schumacher; father-in-law and mother-in-law Larry and Linda Cole of Assumption, IL; and sisters-in-law, Tami Bosgraaf, Nancy Cole, Paula Boston (Randy), and Marsha Reedy (Ken); and many nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Todd Cole; and brother, Rob Bosgraaf.