Gary Cook
November 5, 1948-August 23, 2009
Mr. Gary Elton Cook, 60, formerly of Niles, MI, died on Sunday, August 23, 2009, following an illness.
He was born on November 5, 1948, in Allegan, MI, to Charles Willis and Virginia M. (Rodgers) Cook. He graduated from Niles High School in 1966 and had lived in Niles most of his life. He was self-employed as an electronics repair technician and was a member of the International Society of Certified Electronic Technicians.
Gary attended Hope College, Holland, MI, and Ferris State University, Big Rapids University, MI, and earned the bachelor's degree from Indiana University, South Bend.
He was an athlete, winning a wrestling championship for his weight division in his high school conference and was a collegiate state champ. He ran in marathons and greater distances throughout his life.
Gary was active in a long list of civic and political organizations, supporting programs for youth such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Boy Scouts, health associations such as Riley's Children's Hospital and Doctors Without Boarders, Native American projects such as the Cheyenne River Youth & Cultural Center, and political interests including the campaigns of U.S. presidential candidates.
He was a former member of the Niles Optimist Club and First Baptist Church of Niles. In more recent years he had attended the Kern Road Mennonite Church and First Brethren Church, both in South Bend.
Gary was married for several years to the former Leslie Steiner, who died in 1994. He was also preceded in death by his parents, and by a brother, Moonie Cook, who died in 1979.
Surviving family included his daughter, Tracee L Cook of Niles; and granddaughter, Payton Yarbrough; his sisters, Charlene Dalenberg of Saint Joseph, MI, and Alana (Jesse) Madrigal of Austin, Texas; and his aunts, Gloria Shunkwiler of Berrien Springs, MI, and Kathy Rodgers of Niles; and an uncle, Tom Rodgers of Edwardsburg, MI.
Services for Gary Cook will be at 7:00 p.m. today, September 3, in First Baptist Church, Niles, with Pastor Jim Wing of the church and Rev, David Sutter of Kern Road Mennonite Church officiating. Interment will be at a later date at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles
The family will receive relatives and friends at the church's fellowship hall immediately following the services.
Contributions in memory of Gary Cook may be made to the donor's choice.
Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.