John Cole, Jr. (1966-2019)

COLE, WRIGHT, FRANZEN

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 9/10/2019 at 07:21:28

John Cole, Jr., age 52, a loving husband, father, son and true friend, passed away as a result of a motorcycle accident Saturday, September 7, 2019 in Jackson County, Iowa. A Celebration of Life service will be held 4:30 p.m. Saturday, September 14, 2019 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home, Savanna, Illinois. Visitation will be held from 2:00 – 4:30 Saturday, September 14 at the funeral home. Burial will be in St. Peters Cemetery, Sabula. Following the burial friends are invited to join the family at Manny's Pizza in Savanna. Memorials may be given in his honor to benefit the disabled.

John was born November 17, 1966 in Decatur, Illinois, the son of John and Sondra (Wright) Cole. He is a graduate of the Stephen Decatur High School with the Class of 1984. John served his country in the US Army from 1984 – 1988. John became a Millwright, and eventually a Superintendent of Construction for A-lert Company, working closely with ADM Archer-Daniels Midland. His work gave him the opportunity to travel, and that is how he met the love of his life, Shawn Franzen from Sabula. On August 20, 2011, John married Shawn at Sabula Lake, Sabula, Iowa. They have celebrated twelve years together.

John infused his new family with love, kindness, joy and fun. He and his wife, Shawn, built their home on Sabula Lake and spent most of their time together, blending their families and enjoying life. John was generous with his spirit, always helping others. He could accomplish anything. John loved to ride motorcycles and socialize, he was a devoted friend to many. He was a member of the Sabula American Legion. John believed in hard work, family and friends. He was a provider, protector, solver, uplifter, and enjoyed sharing his great sense of humor.

John will be dearly missed by his wife, Shawn; one son, Tyler Cole of Decatur, Illinois; a stepson, Chad (Danyel) Chrest of Miles, Iowa; four stepdaughters, Claudia (Kevin) Miller of Solon, Iowa, Lacey (Ben) Ritchie of Sabula, Iowa, Nikkia (Justin) Steines of Preston, Iowa, and Noelle (Mason) Lundgren of Sabula, Iowa; 15 grandchildren; his mother, Sondra Cole; one brother, William (Sally) Cole of Dalton City, Illinois; his father-in-law, Nolan “Buck” Franzen; and two brothers-in-law, Doug (Teena) Franzen and Scott Franzen, both of Sabula.

John is preceded in death by his father, John R. Cole and his grandparents, Jack and Gladys Cole.

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