Gertrude "Trudy" (Gebeck) Cole

Gertrude “Trudy” (Gebeck) Cole

Walking Hand In Hand With Our Lord – Gertrude “Trudy” (Gebeck) Cole, 90, formerly of Greenfield, passed away Monday, June 5, 2017, at Heritage Health Carlinville.

She was born May 3, 1927, in Kewanee IL, the daughter of Charles and Ella (Knudsen) Gebeck. She grew up on the family farm in Sheffield, IL. She married Richard Cole on August, 8, 1950 in Sheffield, and he preceded her in death October 8, 1991.

She was blessed with two sons, Steven (Tammy) and Charles, of Greenfield; grandchildren, Stephanie Albrecht, Kelly Barnes, Jordan and Christopher Cole; nine great-grandchildren; a brother, Frank (Pat) Gebeck of Sheffield; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and one brother, Conrad Gebeck.

Trudy graduated in 1945 from Sheffield High School. She graduated in 1949 from Western Illinois State Teachers College in Macomb. She taught several years at Greenfield High School and then became a substitute teacher. Trudy was a 65-year member of the Greenfield United Methodist Church, a Sunday school teacher and very active with the Greenfield United Methodist Women’s group. She was devoted to numerous organizations, but those dear to her heart were the American Legion Auxiliary Fitzsimmons Unit, Red Cross Coordinator, and a 50+ year member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, and cherished the sisters she served with. She volunteered during the Greenfield Tri-Ennial Homecoming celebration, and every Memorial Day selling ‘poppies’, to remember those who served. She was generous, dedicated and faithful, she loved to read, travel and truly enjoyed her time visiting with friends; but most of all, she loved spending time with her family.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 10, 2017 at Greenfield United Methodist Church with burial at Oakwood Cemetery north of Greenfield. The family will meet friends 4-7 p.m. Friday, June 9, 2017 at Greenfield United Methodist Church. Memorials are suggested to Greenfield United Methodist Church. Shields-Bishop Funeral Homeis in charge of arrangements, and online condolences can be left at shields-bishopfh.com

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