Jerome "Jerry" Cottrell

Jerome "Jerry" Cottrell of Vassar, age 80, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at McLaren - Bay Region in Bay City. Jerry was born September 21, 1939 in Caro, the son of the late Jerome & Marguerite (Stapleton) Cottrell. He attended Caro High School and enlisted with the U.S. Air Force at seventeen, trained at Amarillo Air Force Base in Texas, and was stationed in Guam. Following his honorable discharge in 1961, Jerry returned to this area and began a thirty-two year career with Marlex Manufacturing in Caro where he worked as a truck driver and foreman. Following the plant's closing, he worked for Michigan Sugar in Caro for two campaigns before spending the next ten years at Anrod Screen in Cass City, retiring in 2001. Jerry was a man always on the move and could be found welding, painting, chopping wood, plowing snow or mowing grass. He enjoyed being in nature, feeding his birds, squirrels and rabbits. Jerry had a special affinity for dogs, especially his beloved Sophie. He enjoyed genealogy, reading the newspaper, and sharing that news at Wieland's Barbershop in Caro. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of forty years, Tiny Cottrell of Vassar; three daughters and their spouses, April & Dean Piske of Millington, Tammy & Tony Minard of Snover, Dollie Watson of Mt. Morris; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sister, Margaret McAlpine of Kingston; uncle and aunt, Pat & Carol Stapleton of Caro; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by three sisters, Betty Price, Frances Wilson, and Sandy Jacot. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 18, 2019 at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro with Rev. Jerzy Dobosz officiating. Burial will follow at Indianfields Township Cemetery in Caro with military honors afforded by the U.S. Air Force and Caro American Legion Post #7. The family will be present to receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to the Saginaw County Veterans Administration. Visitation Information Date: Thursday, October 17, 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 funeral home on Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Service Information Date: Friday, October 18, 2019 Time: 11:00 am Ransford Collon Funeral Home Address: 989-673-2175 | Map Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 18, 2019 at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro with Rev. Jerzy Dobosz officiating. Cemetery Information Date: Friday, October 18, 2019 Indianfields Township Cemetery Address: 989-673-2428 | Map Burial will follow at Indianfields Township Cemetery in Caro with military honors afforded by the U.S. Air Force and Caro American Legion Post #7.