Norman Eugene Cole

Norman “Fritz” Eugene Cole, age 71, of Russel’s Point, OH. passed away at Lima Memorial Hospital on Monday, March 23, 2026. Fritz was born on June 9, 1954 in Marion, to the late Worley and JoAnn (Cunningham) Cole. Norman was a high school graduate that worked as a hydraulic engineer for 40 years before retiring from Caterpillar/Bucyrus. He married his late wife Linda Sue in 1995 and the two remained together until her passing in 2024.

After graduating from Fritz went on to college but ultimately dropped out to race cars at the Mid Ohio Speedway. Norman loved to play cards at the AMVETs and could hold his own on the Euchre table. Fritz loved to dance and attend shows whenever he got the chance. Fritz loved to be near the water, especially Indian Lake, where he taught his girls how to swim and ski, which usually meant he was dragging them underwater behind the boat! It is also important to know that towards the end of Fritz's life he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.

Left to cherish the memory of Fritz are his daughters: Jennifer (Don) Collins, Jaime (Brian) Riffe and Jackie (Christopher) Mitchell, sister Therisa Craft, and grandchildren, Connor, Abigail, Miriam, Hannah, Holden, Zackery, and Elizabeth.

Fritz was preceded in death by his parents, wife Linda, daughter, Sarah Cole, sister Pam Craft and brother Harvey Cole.

Friends are invited to attend the visitation of Fritz on Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 10am to 11am, with the funeral service starting at 11am with Pastor Joe Harrison officiating. The committal service will follow immediately after the funeral procession to Grand Prairie Cemetery. The Boyd Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the family of Norman “Fritz” Eugene Cole in their time of mourning.

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