Barbara Darlene Cole, 92, of Hillsboro, died peacefully at 2:41 a.m. on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at Hillsboro Rehab and Healthcare Center.
Services will be held on Friday, May 9, at Bass Patton Dean Funeral Home in Hillsboro. Visitation will take place from 10 to 11 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. with the Rev. CJ Dyas officiating. Burial will be held at Waveland Cemetery.
Ms. Cole was born on April 12, 1933, in Brownstown, to Harry and Eva (Hankins) Cole. She was one of eight children and spent her entire life as a proud resident of Montgomery County. She attended school in Taylor Springs and began working at a young age, waitressing for her uncle while still in the ninth grade. Ms. Cole also helped stock fish in Hillsboro Lake as a young girl, an early example of her willingness to serve and contribute wherever she could.
Over the years, Ms. Cole held many roles—making skates for the roller derby, sewing dresses at the dress factories in Litchfield and Taylorville, baking donuts at Casey’s—all with the same dedication and care she gave to her family and faith.
Ms. Cole was a woman of deep and enduring faith. She was a longtime member of Taylor Springs Baptist Church and later attended Litchfield Baptist Church. Her belief in God shaped her life and she lived with grace, compassion and an unwavering love for others. She served as a Sunday school teacher, helped with Vacation Bible School and offered care and kindness to everyone around her. She loved being surrounded by children, animals, friends and family. She had a unique way of showing love—always making sure people knew they were important to her.
Ms. Cole enjoyed life’s simple joys. She loved listening to WSMI radio, watching birds and the road from her porch, working on word searches and crossword puzzles and baking her family’s all-time favorite chocolate chip cookie cake. She was an avid collector of cardinals and funny enough, acquired many pens and notepads. Her Friday nights were often spent in good company, doing ceramics and sharing laughter with friends. She also loved going on Carnival cruises, embracing every opportunity for fun and connection. Ms. Cole had a talent for making those around her feel loved and seen.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Eva; brothers, Jim, Oliver, Glenn and Don, Sr.; and sisters, Deanna and Delva Kay, in infancy.
Ms. Cole is survived by her sister, Janet Halleman of Hillsboro; sister-in-law, Suzie Cole of Wilsonville; and many nieces, nephews and cousins, all of whom love and will miss her.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Montgomery County Historical Society, 305 Broad Street, Hillsboro, Illinois, 62049.
