Joanne Puckett Cole, age 96, passed away May 19, 2026.
She was born on January 10, 1930 in Owensboro, KY to the late Alton and Margaret (Lyon) Puckett.
Joanne graduated from Daviess County High School in 1948 and then attended Western Kentucky University where she met her husband of 61 years, W. Frank Cole, Jr. They lived in Owensboro for 12 years before moving to Salem, IN.
After marriage, Joanne worked at GE in Owensboro
for 8 years while raising her family.
After moving to Salem in 1962, she worked in the Salem School system as a secretary and teacher’s aide before going back to college at age 35 to finish her degree.
She graduated with honors from IU with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in English secondary education, all while working full time, raising a family and caring for her mother-in-law. After receiving her degree, she taught English at East Washington High School for 25 years and taught swimming in the summer for over 60+ years.
Jo was known for her big smile and she exemplified her mottos of ‘Living Life to the Fullest’ and “Learn something new every day”. She never me a stranger, was always up for an adventure, and seldom was idle.
She contributed much to the community and her church. She was a loving wife and Mother, an excellent cook and seamstress, and a self-taught player of piano, ukulele, harmonica and drums.
She was well known in the community for teaching swimming and
lifesaving, and was recognized by the Red Cross for her over 60 years of service. It is estimated that she taught over 5000 children to swim – including multiple generations of families.
She was very active in community theater, appearing in many plays and musicals.
The favorite was when she acted the part of the Wicked Witch
of the West in “The Wizard of Oz”.
While teaching at Eastern HS, she started the first girls track team, learned to drive a bus to take the team to meets, was cheerleader sponsor, published annual magazine highlighting her student’s essays and poems, and she became a licensed volleyball official.
She and her husband Frank were lifelong members of the First Christian Church where she was a deacon and Elder in the church.
When she turned 50 she developed a bucket list. She learned to snow ski, she began modeling, & traveled.
After retiring, she and Frank split their time between their homes in Salem and Naples, FL where they enjoyed the Florida retiree lifestyle including their shared passion for golf. She even made 2 Holes-in- one.
Frank and Jo were blessed with 3 children, Debby Stout (David) of Seymour, IN, Leslie Cole of New Albany, IN, and Julia Hodges (Kirk) of Bowling Green, KY. She is also survived by 2 grandchildren, Emily (Stout) Jackson (Mike) of Westfield, IN and Meghan (Stout) Swan (Clint) of Zionsville, IN and 6 great grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her husband Frank Cole, parents Alton and Margaret Puckett, sister Betty Puckett, brother Bob Puckett and her friend and companion Jack Bills.
The family would like to thank her extraordinary caregivers for their loving care, kindness, knowledge and friendship. And special thanks to the wonderful care from her Hosparus team.
There will be a graveside service in the Pavillion at Crown Hill
Cemetery, Friday May 29th at 11:00. Located at 207 S. Shelby St. Salem, IN.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to:
The Humane Society or Washington County Community Foundation.
“Memorial Day weekend is one of the best times to be a Hoosier—the Indianapolis 500, cookouts, and the time we take to honor those who gave their lives serving our country. Drinking and driving is dangerous every day of the year, but during a holiday weekend, the danger is magnified. Indiana State Police and local law enforcement will be stepping up enforcement to keep Hoosiers safe.” – Governor Mike Braun 
