Merle Frances Cole, 70, died peacefully on Saturday, Feb. 8 at home in Oakdale.

She resided in Stanislaus County since 1958 and graduated from Ceres High School in 1962, the daughter of Clyde and Viola Armitstead.

Mrs. Cole was a homemaker and partner in her husband’s electrical contracting business, Jerry Cole Electric. After closing the electrical business, she was an employee of Rite Aid drugstore in Oakdale until she retired in 2011.

She was a wife and mother who always put her family first. She was an excellent cook and gifted seamstress and quilt maker, a lover of antiques and incredible collector with that special eye for spotting beautiful, interesting and curious items from the past. She was the person who could be counted on if something had to be done and done well. She was also very well known for all the special things she did for the people in her life, from cooking special dishes to finding an antique or collectible that someone had been looking for, to being someone to call if help was needed for any reason. She was accomplished in the art of giving generously to all.

She was a loving and devoted Christian all of her life and could be counted on to provide loving and encouraging support to all in her life.

She is survived by her son, Gerald Lee Cole of Oakdale; sisters, Zen Hardwick, Cena McKinley, Ardel Burritt; and brothers, William, Glen, Barry, James, and Clyde.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Jerry Clayton Cole; and daughter, Kimberly Ann Cole.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 17 at Oakdale Memorial Chapel, 830 West F St. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 18, also at the chapel.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Children’s Crisis Center of Stanislaus County, P.O. Box 1062, Modesto, CA 95353.

The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader

Feb. 12, 2014