Steven Kent Cole

Steven Kent Cole, 66, Kokomo, passed away at 5:25 am Thursday, February 14, 2019, at St. Vincent Hospital in Kokomo. He was born August 26, 1952, in Kokomo, the son of the late Lloyd & Ada (Walker) Cole. On July 30, 1977, at Morning Star Church, he married Carol A. Smith who survives.

Steve graduated in the first graduating class from Haworth High School in 1970 as Valedictorian. Steve participated in drama club, speech team and was a delegate for Hoosier Boys State while attending Haworth. Steve graduated from the Teacher’s College of Ball State University in 1974, again with high honors, Cum Laude. He received his Master of Arts in Education from Ball State in 1980. Steve was an active participant of the Ball State traveling Speech Team and a huge advocate for the Christian Student Foundation. Following graduation and throughout the years Steve has enjoyed spending time with his Ball State Group, his forever friends and family. Steve began his teaching career at Western High School in 1974 as a Speech and English Teacher. He retired in 2007 after 33 years of teaching. During his time at Western, Steve was the Drama Club Sponsor and Director of several school plays, Sponsor of the Christian Student Fellowship Organization, Speech Team Sponsor and announced numerous athletic events and awards ceremonies. Steve enjoyed being the “voice of Western” especially during basketball season. Steve greeted every student as they walked into school, singing and engaging with them and he always had lunch money for those who didn’t. During that time he also pastored at Faith Church of Christ, Burlington, for 38 years, 1978-2016. Steve was the Master of Ceremonies for numerous events throughout his life, he enjoyed public speaking and singing, and always had a knack at connecting with his audience. Steve worked for Stout Funeral Homes following his retirement from Faith. He continued to perform weddings, funerals and called on families as requested.

Along with his wife Carol, Steve is survived by his children, Chris (Lindsey) Cole, and Amber (Sean) Schaefer; grandchildren, Hudson and Emersyn Schaefer, and Addy and Jace Cole; brother, Terry Cole; mother-in-law, Clista Smith; sister-in-law, Janet (Clark) Winrotte; and brother-in-law, Larry (Sharon) Smith. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents; step-mothers, Bertha and Theda; and father-in-law, Kenny Smith.

A celebration of life service will be held at 6:30 pm Friday, February 22, 2019, at Western High School, 2600 S. 600 W., Russiaville, with Rick Keck, Dr. Gary Carpenter, Rod Mason, and Brandon Bentch officiating. The family will greet friends following the service at the high school. Memorial contributions may be made in Steve’s memory to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Funding, JDRF, 26 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10004, or online at www2.jdrf.org. Stout & Son Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.stoutandson.com.

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