Obituary of Edward Leon Cottrell

Edward Leon Cottrell, 77, of Niles, Michigan passed away at Peace River Regional Medical Center in Port Charlotte, Florida on February 14, 2012. Ed was born on November 17, 1934 to the late Oral and Mary (Wilson) Cottrell in Shelburn, Indiana. He was the eldest of five children. After high school Ed enlisted in the United States Navy where he proudly served his country. On March 2, 1957 Ed wed the love of his life, Beverly Sharp and together they had four children. Ed was an avid outdoorsman and athlete. He loved to bowl, golf, hunt, fish and in his younger years he even coached his son with Buchanan Little League and then his nephew in Niles Babe Ruth. Ed and Beverly spent their winters in Arcadia, Florida where they made some very close friends who treated them like family. Also while living in North Carolina Ed participated, and medaled several times, in the Senior Olympics. He was an avid Notre Dame fan and everyone knew that during the game on Saturday he could be found in his living room watching. He is preceded in death by his parents, daughter Peggy Cottrell, granddaughter Michelle Lamb and siblings Patty Zechlin and Jack Cottrell. Ed is survived by his wife Beverly, children Eddie (Edna) Cottrell of Dowagiac, Michigan, Pam (Mike) Obenland of Danville, Illinois, Patti Cottrell of Niles, 11 grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and sisters Sally (Ronald) Johnson of Niles and Paulette (William) Landon of Niles. Memorial donations may be made in Ed's memory to the American Heart Association. A memorial service to honor Ed's life will be held on Friday, February 24, 2012 at Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services beginning at 6:00 p.m. with a time of visitation beginning two hours prior.