Joe Cole

Joe H. Cole, 74, of Cape Girardeau passed away at 2:42 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, at Saint Francis Medical Center.

He was born June 2, 1946, in Cape Girardeau. He was adopted as an infant by his grandparents, James Samuel and Margaret Ellen Cole.

Joe married Janet Knupp Brooks on Aug. 12, 1984, in Cape Girardeau. They enjoyed fishing together for many years.

Joe attended local schools, graduating in 1964 from Cape Girardeau Central High. He attended Southeast Missouri State University for two years, studying business.

He worked for Finney Drug Store in the 1960s. In the 1970s he worked for Broadway Prescription Shop and helped Milton and Harry George, the owners, develop a separate branch, Broadway Medical. He worked there for many years and worked for 10 years at their Sikeston, Missouri, location, Sikeston Homecare. Joe later worked for Tobacco Lane, starting in 2000, and retired in January 2020.

Joe was a lifelong avid bass and cat fisherman. He was a "regular" at the former Grossheider Lakes of Gordonville. He loved to fish in ponds and small lakes. Joe was a charter member of the Mossback Bassmasters.

He is survived by his wife, Janet Cole of Cape Girardeau; stepson, John Travis Brooks of Cape Girardeau; and other relatives and friends.

Joe was preceded in death by his grandparents, James Samuel and Margaret Ellen Cole.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Crain Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home with Brother Tony Kirby officiating. Interment will follow in Cape County Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and will be accepted at the funeral home.

To view the obituary and/or to leave an online condolence for the family, please visit www.crainsonline.com.