Frances Marie (Jenco) Cole

Frances Marie (Jenco) Cole, 94, was born in East Chicago, Ind. on July 18, 1929 and passed away Sept. 12, 2023.   

Fran was a stay-at-home mom in Michigan raising a family. When her husband was asked to move to Hillsboro to establish Rotary Forms Press, they decided to make the move, so Fran, Sam and the children made the move to Hillsboro from Michigan in the ’50s. Fran quickly became active with her children’s activities, becoming a Girl Scout leader, Cub Scout den mother and a 4-H leader for over 10 years.

Fran was an artist — she was always painting, drawing or creating. Many remember her decorations at every dance or activity at the Elks, Snow Hill and helping with junior/senior proms. As an Elks member, she was active in the Emblem Club, serving as president at one time. Fran was also a member of the Historical Society. Because of her love of history & Hillsboro, she was instrumental in the effort to save the Scott Building, when a group decided it should be demolished. After petitions and hard work, the building was saved and now serves as the Board of Education.

Fran also helped establish the Highland County Senior Citizens Center. She also served on the planning commission and was appointed as director of Highland County Planning Commission. As director, her accomplishments were many. Her ability to write grant proposals was remarkable. She was proud that her efforts provided each village in Highland County with a Fire & EMS unit. The Hillsboro Park was provided with grant money, and the land was purchased from the railroad for $1. She was definitely a force in getting things done.

Fran and Sam were active members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, where she served on parish council and taught religious education classes to many children. She repainted the statues and all the ways of the cross in St. Mary’s historic church. Many remember Fran at Highland County Printers, owned and operated by Sam, Fran and Pep for close to 50 years on Beech Street.   

She is survived by her four children, Cheryl (Jerry) Mullins, Denise Turner, Michael Cole and Patrick (Barbara) Cole; her grandchildren, Andrea (George) Dalhamer, Kendra Schneider, Anthony Penn, Bree (Brandon) Wooton, Zachary Muhleman, Abby Cole, Scott Mullins and Keith Mullins; 10 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren; and many loved nieces & nephews. 

Frances was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Samuel Cole; her parents, Michael T. and Mary B. Jenco; her four sisters; Rosemary (Paul) Baker, Dorothy (Bud) Bates, Sue (Carroll) Redinger and Marianne (Lee) Jourdan; two brothers, Edward (Roberta) Jenco and George (Gerri) Jenco; a grandson, Daniel Gunkel; and a niece, Michelle Jourdan. 

A memorial service and celebration of Frances’ life will be held Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023 at noon at the Turner & Son Funeral Home in Hillsboro. The family will receive friends Saturday from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at noon at the funeral home. Burial in the St. Mary Catholic Cemetery will be held at the convenience of the family. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of Hope, 215 Hughes Blvd., Mt Orab, Ohio 45154 or the Highland County Senior Citizens Center, 185 Muntz Street, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. 

To leave an online condolence to the family, please visit www.turnerfuneralhomes.cc.