Mrs. Ezma Mae Cole, age 92, of Muskegon, formerly of Hart, passed away Sunday, January 3, 2016, at the Poppen Hospice House in Muskegon. She was born October 27, 1923, in Garrett, IN to Arthur and Esther (Stoehr) Zerns. On September 21, 1957, Ezma married Theodore W. Cole in Hart, MI. They were married for forty-one years before his passing in 1998. Theodore and Ezma were the first owners and operators of the Gateway Motel in Hart. They ran this business for fourteen years, until they retired in 1971. Ezma will be remembered as being a people person who enjoyed playing cards, especially cribbage. She enjoyed being in the out of doors snowmobiling and fishing. She was also known for her baking, especially her bread and cherry pies. Needlework, sewing and quilting were also her passions. Her grandchildren were the recipients of many of her handmade items.

Ezma is survived by three daughters, Janet (Al) Woody of Abilene, TX, Denise (Bruce) Cruise of Shelby Township, MI, and Carol Burr of Muskegon, MI; three sons, David (Shelly) Miller of Alpena, MI, Ben (Suzzie) Miller of Indianapolis, IN, August (Julie) Miller of Alpena, MI; two step-sons, Theodore (Karen) Cole of Hesperia, MI; and Kenneth (Johanna) Cole of Clearwater, FL; twenty-nine grandchildren; thirty-three great-grandchildren; eleven great-great-grandchildren; one brother; Alfred "Butch" (Sharon) Zerns of Grant, MI; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Theodore Cole; two grandchildren, Brandon Draper, and Lonny Cole; two sisters, Rosellyn Zerns, and Isabell Maitland.

The Funeral Service for Mrs. Cole will be Wednesday, January 6, 2016, at 2:00 pm at King Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Hart with Pastor Randy Blanchette officiating. Interment will be in the Hart Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday, January 5, 2016 from 5-7 p.m. and Wednesday, January 6, 2016 one hour prior to the service at King Funeral Home in Hart. The family requests that any memorials be directed to Poppen Harbor Hospice, 2065 E. Mt. Garfield Rd, Muskegon, MI 49444.