Joseph Gregory Cole, Ph.D. was born to Charles and Judy Cole on March 20, 1962, in North Kansas City and passed away May 21, 2020, in Brandon, Mississippi.

Joe was a 1980 graduate of Sheldon High School and earned degrees from Missouri Southern State University, Wichita State University, and Florida State University (PhD). Joe worked in higher education at various colleges and universities across the Midwest in Physical Education.
Joe’s mission in life was to spread the gospel of Christ through everything that he did. He had a passion for athletics and using sports to bring glory to his Heavenly Father. Along with his family, he traveled to various countries, including Romania, India, Iraq, Guatemala, and the Philippines, conducting basketball missionary trips. He was a role model, mentor, and intent listener for so many people.

Joe married Melissa Thelen on August 2, 1986. They have three children, Spencer (and Lindsey, expecting), Hannah, and David (and Caroline) Cole. Additional family members include his parents, Charles and Judy Cole, two brothers, John (and Sandy) and Jason (and Courtney) Cole, three brothers-in-law, Todd (and Chris), Tedd (and Bonita), and Kent (and Ann) Thelen, with 15 nieces and nephews.

There will be a memorial service held at The Venue at Pinelake Church in Brandon, Mississippi on Monday, June 1st, 2020, at 10:00am. Please feel welcome to join the family in celebrating Joe’s life.

Visit wrightferguson.com to sign the online guestbook.

Martha Bell Schulz, 83, of Peewee Valley, Kentucky, passed away Friday, Sept 13, 2019, at Baptist Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky.

Martha was born on August 13, 1937, in Syracuse, MO, daughter of George and Grace Putnam. She grew up in Otterville, MO, and later moved to Sedalia, MO, where she wed Robert Eugene (Bob) Schulz on August 16, 1957. They had three children, Steven Eugene, Robert Scott and Sandra Lynn.
Until recently, she was active in her church, as a member of the choir, participant in the bell choir, a member of the Sweet Adeline’s International, and community volunteer. She especially enjoyed delivering meals with her husband for the Meals on Wheels program.

Martha worked as a secretary for Prudential Insurance Company upon moving to Sedalia and then as a homemaker focusing on her family. When her children were grown, she opened The Collector’s Gallery, a retail art gallery serving Sedalia and surrounding areas until its closing upon her retirement.

She was a talented golfer – a member of the exclusive Hole-in-One club – and enjoyed “couples golf” as a member of Sedalia Country Club for many years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her son Steven, her three sisters Gladys Putnam, Connie Brummett and most recently, Marjorie Smith, her four brothers Maynard, Tommy Joe, Jim and Wilbur Putnam.

Surviving her are daughter Sandy Schulz-Shelly of Louisville KY, son Scott Schulz of Franklin TN, grandchildren Ashley Bermudez, Zachary Gail, Brady Gail, Jason Schulz and Chelsea Schulz along with her five great-grandchildren Cody, Jody, Isabell, Ever Isaiah and Halle Bell all of whom she loved dearly.
She will be sincerely missed.