Edward Cottrell Sr., 77
Nov. 17, 1934 — Feb. 14, 2012

Edward Leon Cottrell, 77, of Niles, passed away at Peace River Regional Medical Center in Port

Charlotte, Fla., on Feb. 14, 2012.

Ed was born Nov. 17, 1934, to the late Oral and Mary (Wilson) Cottrell in Shelburn, Ind. 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, Fla., 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, Pam (Mike) Obenland of Danville, Ill., 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 Friday, Feb. 24, at Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services beginning at 6 p.m. with a time of visitation beginning two hours prior.

To leave a message for the family, upload a photo or send a letter of condolence please visit www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or visit our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home of Niles, Michigan.