Mary Jane Cole, age 77, of Mt. Pleasant passed away on October 5, 2017, in the company of her family in Bay City, Michigan.  She fought the good fight, finished her race, and is now at peace in her Heavenly home.  A Homecoming Service will take place Monday, October 9, 2017, at 2 pm at the Rowley Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant with the Reverend James Randolph, of Living Word International Church of Midland, officiating.  Interment will be at Riverlawn Cemetery of Denver Township in Delwin, Michigan.  Friends may call at the Rowley Funeral Home on Saturday, October 7th, 5-8 pm or Sunday, October 8th, 4-8 pm.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Leaton United Methodist Church or Living Word International Church or The Genealogical Society of Isabella County.  Envelopes are available at the Rowley Funeral Home.

     Mary Jane was born at home on October 12, 1939 in Redding Township; Clare, County; Temple, Michigan to William Henry and Vera Adelaide (Dennis) Smith.  On October 22, 1955 she was united in holy matrimony to Gerald LeRoy Cole in Mt. Pleasant.  He was called home to be with the Lord in March of 2002.  In 1981, the two of them designed and constructed the log dwelling they called, Home Sweet Home.  Mary Jane was a lifetime resident of the area and loved her community.  She often said, “Mt. Pleasant is ‘Someplace Special’” and made many community “street friends”.  She was known to drop by her friends and neighbors, faithfully checking on them.

     The gift of gab was definitely her calling.  She was not bashful when it came to sharing her faith, for she wanted all to know the plan of salvation. She was a dutiful wife and stay at home mother to her six son’s and one daughter.  She was a faithful contributor to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Indian School, and the Paralyzed Veterans Organizations. She loved her flowers, gardening, and canning and especially enjoyed the years when her children and grandchildren were involved with 4-H and horse events at the Isabella County Fair.  The value of hard work and simplicity was no stranger to her.

     Mary Jane grew up in rural Chippewa Township around work horses and other farm animals.  She felt she gained many life skills through her experiences from living on a farm.  She loved her family greatly, celebrated their individual accomplishments, and always stressed to work hard and save your pennies.  She was also very proud to have so many nurses and care-givers in her family.  She believed laughter was a great medicine and the joy of the Lord was her strength.

     A special thank you goes out to the incredible ICU nurses at McClaren Mt. Pleasant, and the CCU nurses at McClaren Bay Medical for the compassionate and dedicated care she received.

     Mary Jane is survived by her beloved seven children.  Russell William Cole of Traverse City; David LeRoy (Brenda) Cole; Tammy Leigh (Thomas) Prout; Brad LaVerne (Laurie) Cole of Mt. Pleasant; Glenn Alan (Suzette) Cole of Midland; Darren Leslie (Margaret) Cole of St. Louis; and Dallas Dean Cole of Mattawan, Michigan.  14 Grandchildren, Brent Cole and companion Francesca Kovach, Nathan (Sarah) Cole, Melissa Cole, Naomi (Drew) Demski, Nicholas (Melissa) Prout, Martha (Chad) Nagy of Midland, Maureen (Jon) Lewis of Coleman, Wendy Cole and Sarah Cole of Mt. Pleasant, Jennifer Cole and companion Andy Cockrell of Farwell, Glenn Cole Jr. and companion Kristi Sheets, Justin Cole, Meagan (Kyle) Enfield and Erin Cole all of Mt. Pleasant. 8 Great Grandchildren, Jacob, Ava, and Norah Prout, Lucas Jackson, Tyler and Elizabeth (Libby) Cockrell, Joslynn Cole, Jayden Cole, with 2 more on the way.   

     Also survived by brother, Raymond Smith of Mt. Pleasant and Sister, Janet (Gerald) Harvey of Shepherd.  Sisters-in-laws, Barbara Smith, Margaret Gaw of Mt. Pleasant, Janet Fussman of Lake Isabella, Patricia Cole of South Carolina, and Brothers-in-laws James Cole of Weidman and Kenneth (Patty) Cole of Mt. Pleasant and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband Gerald, parents, and 2 brothers, Harold Emerson, and Leland LaVerne Smith, and brother in laws, Bert Cole, J.D. Gaw, Ronald Mitchell, and Patrick Fussman, sister in laws, Marilyn Mitchell and Betty Jean Smith-Peek.      Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the funeral home or through www.rowleyfuneralhome.com.   ‘Honoring Traditions, Respecting Change’