Russell Alexander "Alex" Cottle

Russell Alexander “Alex” Cottle, age 86, of Pickford, Michigan, died Sunday, March 6, 2016, at Cedar Cove in Cedarville, Michigan. He was born May 31, 1929, in Pickford, to Russell William and Reta Mae (Harrison) Cottle. Alex was a lifelong Pickford resident. He was a graduate of Pickford schools, where he played basketball, and was active in Future Farmers of America and 4-H. He married Delores Eleanor Allen on August 11, 1948. They made their home on the Cottle family farm and farmed there until they retired. Alex was a lifelong member of the Pickford United Methodist Church. He served on the Chippewa County Fair Board for 30 years and was the fair treasurer for most of those years. He was also Superintendent of Dairy for the fair. Alex was a member of the Grange for over 50 years, serving in various offices for both the local and state organization. Alex was a Building Inspector for Mackinac County and the sexton of Cottle Cemetery. He also served on the Northwoods Christian Camp Board of Directors. He and Delores were members of the Good Sam’s Camping Club. Alex enjoyed bowling and participating in various bowling tournaments. He once bowled a perfect 300 game. Alex enjoyed woodworking, hunting small game and deer, and camping. Alex is survived by his wife, Delores; daughters, Cheryl (Edward) Cate of Newark, Texas, Dana (Lester) Beyer of Zeeland, Michigan, and Lisa (Jeffery) Crawford of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan; sons, Allen (Patricia) Cottle of Pickford, and Martin (Alicia) Cottle of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan; thirteen grandchildren, Karri (Ben) Bennington, Ashlee (Jim Byers) Hardy, Ryan (Stefanie) Cate, Michael (Deanna) Cottle, Jennifer (Justin) Peterman, Lee (Susan) Beyer, Melissa (Jason) Collins, Renee (Blake) Brott, Gretchen Zimmerman, Grace Zimmerman, Ross Crawford, Rachel (Jason) Humphrey, and Riley Crawford; and twenty great grandchildren, Alec, Cora, Caitlyn, Thomas, Taylor, Keira, Cole, Hunter, Alexa, Saundra, Shelby, Codey, Ayana, Jackson, Jagger, Addison, Connor, Siena, Nathaniel, and Piper. Also surviving are his sister, Belva (Jim) Rutledge of Pickford, and John (Sandra) Cottle of Bohn Terre, Missouri; sister-in-law, Belva (Clayton) Ball of Westchester, Pennsylvania; and brother-in-law, Roger (Sheryl) Allen of Flushing, Michigan. Alex was preceded in death by his parents; grandson-in-law, Weston Hardy; brother, Elliott (Marjorie Elda) Cottle; and sister-in-law, Janelle (H. Douglas) Batho. Visitation will be Thursday, March 17 from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. and Friday, March 18 from 10:00 A.M. until 12:00 Noon at R. Galer Funeral Home, 24549 S. M-129 in Pickford. Funeral services will be on Friday, March 18 at 12:00 Noon at R. Galer Funeral Home with Reverend Timothy Bashore conducting the service. Burial will be in Cottle Cemetery in Marquette Township, Michigan. Memorial contributions may be made to Northwoods Christian Camp on the Rapson, Inc., P.O. Box 574, Pickford, MI 49774, the Pickford Historical Museum, P.O. Box 572, Pickford, MI 49774, or the Pickford United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 128, Pickford, MI 49774.

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Russell Alexander "Alex" Cottle

May 31, 1929 - March 6, 2016