Francis Cottrell

Francis Cottrell of Caro, age 96, passed away on Sunday, September 29, 2019 at the Tuscola County Medical Care Community in Caro. Francis was born February 25, 1923 in Caro, the son of the late Frank and Delia (Larongea) Cottrell and was a graduate of Caro High School, Class of 1941, He served in the U.S. Army during World War II from 1944-1946 in the European Theater and was involved in the Battle of the Bulge under General George Patton. Francis was united in marriage with the former Dorothy Keinath of Richville on April 29, 1950. He was a farmer all of his life, and along with his wife, grew different kinds of crops specializing in red potatoes, selling them to many people around the area as well as out of state. Francis also worked for Eaton/Grede Foundry in Vassar for nearly fifty years. He was a life member of the Caro VFW Post 4164, a member of the Cass River Chapter of the Gideons, and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Caro, where he served as an usher and elder for sixteen years. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of sixty-nine years, Dorothy Cottrell of Caro; two children and their spouses, Richard & Marilyn Cottrell of Akron, Jane & Larry Scott of Fairgrove; three grandchildren and their spouses, Eric & Jessica Cottrell, Megan & Shane Bills, Katie & Mark Wilson; two great-grandchildren, Brooke and Claire Wilson, and another great-granddaughter due in November; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Francis was preceded in death by three sisters and their husbands, Helen & Al Jasinski, Angeline & Edward Bennick, Virginia & Duane Witkovsky. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 3, 2019 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Caro with Rev. Cameron Steele officiating. Burial will follow at the Indianfields Township Cemetery in Caro with military honors afforded by Caro VFW Post 4164 and the US Army. The family will be present to receive friends at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. THE FAMILY HAS REQUESTED NO FLOWERS PLEASE AS FAMILY MEMBERS ARE ALLERGIC. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Caro or the Gideons. Visitation Information Date: Wednesday, October 2, 2019 Time: 4:00 pm End Time: 8:00 pm Ransford Collon Funeral Home Address: 989-673-2175 | Map The family will be present to receive friends at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. THE FAMILY HAS REQUESTED NO FLOWERS PLEASE AS FAMILY MEMBERS ARE ALLERGIC. Service Information Date: Thursday, October 3, 2019 Time: 11:00 am St. Paul Lutheran Church-Caro Address: 503 South State St. Caro, MI 48723 9896732175 | Map Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 3, 2019 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Caro with Rev. Cameron Steele officiating. Cemetery Information Date: Thursday, October 3, 2019 Indianfields Township Cemetery Address: 989-673-2428 | Map Burial will follow at the Indianfields Township Cemetery in Caro.