Helen J. Cole

Helen J. Cole, 91, of Fort Wayne, Indiana passed away on Friday, June 23, 2023. She was born on April 28, 1932 in Randolph County, Indiana, a daughter of the late Walter J. and Florence E. (Sipe) Gettinger. She worked as a teacher for the East Allen County School Corporation for 27 years, primarily at Leo Elementary School, before retiring in 1991. She was a longtime member at Bethany United Methodist Church, Fort Wayne. She also belonged to the Indiana Retired Teachers Association and United Methodist NOMADS. In her free time, she volunteered at the Three Rivers Literacy Society and Friends of Metea County Park. Surviving family include her children, Lilli Ann (Gene) Parker of Nashville, Tennessee, Joyce (Bruce) Clinger of Bucyrus, Ohio, Bruce (LeeAnn) Cole of Spencerville, Indiana, and Jeffrey (Sherry) Cole of Pittsboro, North Carolina; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; siblings, Ilene Schwieterman, Delores Reitz, and Francis (Ron) Liggett; and sister-in-laws, Jodi Gettinger and Millie Cole. Besides her parents, she was preceded in passing by her husband, Gordon L. Cole; grandson, Ian Cole; brother, Harold Gettinger; brother-in-laws, Jerry Schwieterman, John Reitz and Charlie Cole; and half-sister, Mary Edith Hathaway. Memorial service will be 4:00 pm on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at Bethany United Methodist Church, 7715 Sunny Lane, Fort Wayne, with a gathering of family and friends one hour prior. Inurnment will be in Highland Park Cemetery, Fort Wayne in the future. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bethany United Methodist Church. Hockemeyer & Miller Funeral Home, Fort Wayne is caring for the arrangements. Condolences and memories of Helen can be left online at www.hockemeyermillerfh.com.