Mary Cole

Mary Elizabeth Kreager Cole, age 95, formerly of Cambridge, died peacefully Thursday, March 21, 2013, in Zanesville, following an extended illness. She was born May 20, 1917, in Gratiot, the daughter of the late Louis B and Mary Elizabeth (Smart) Kreager. She was the valedictorian of the first graduating class from Hopewell High School.Mary was an active member of the Cambridge Community for many years, having moved there when her husband, James W. Cole, was named division manager for the East Ohio Gas Company in 1963. Prior to living in Cambridge, she resided in Chillicothe, Bellaire and Zanesville.Following her husbands untimely death in April, 1970, Mary assumed many of his civic functions including Guernsey County Library Board, Southeastern Ohio Medical Center Board of Directors, where she served for over 30 years. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Order of Eastern Star, Brownsville Chapter #486, Guernsey Co. Republican Party and a former member of the Cambridge Country Club.She was an avid golfer, bridge player and collector of butterflies. She also enjoyed spending time at the family cottage on Buckeye Lake.She also traveled extensively as a tour escort for the Kamm tour company in Cambridge.Mary is survived by her loving family: her sisters Helen (Mrs. James) Hoskinson of Zanesville, and Trudy (Mrs. John) Kondrath of Broomfield, CO., two nieces Jan (Tim) Kardatzke of Broomfield, CO and Frances Olds of New Smyrna Beach, FL., along with several great nieces & nephews.In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband James W. Cole, on April 5, 1970, her brothers Harry and Howard Kreager and sister Evelyn Mason; along with her beloved nephews Carroll Mason and Richard J. Hoskinson.Her family will receive friends on Monday, March 25, 2013, from 5-7 P.M. at the BUNDY-LAW Funeral Home in Cambridge, where funeral services celebrating her life will follow at 7:00 P.M with Pastor Keith Leach as celebrant. Private family burial will follow on Tuesday, March 26, 2013, when Mary will be laid to rest next to her husband at Poplar Fork Cemetery in Gratiot.An on-line guest register is available at www.hoskinsonfuneral.com.The family prefers that memorials be directed to the Guernsey Health Foundation at Southeastern Ohio Medical Center in her memory.