Tributes

A funeral service for Michael John Cottrill will be held at Miller Funeral Home in the Toby Miller Chapel on Sunday, October 20, 2024, starting at 3:00 pm. The family will receive friends from 2:15 pm until the time of the service. Brother Eric Snider will be officiating the service. The family will be accepting flowers or donations can be made in his honor to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Michael John Cottrill was born October 30, 1952, in Spirit Lake, Iowa. At a young age, he moved to Kenosha, Wisconsin. He graduated from Tremper High School and in 1972 enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he was a Security Specialist. He later enlisted in the U.S. Army where he was Military Police until his retirement on August 31st, 1992. Mike served in Taiwan, Korea, Germany, and Alabama. He retired from The Anniston Army Depot in December 2018 as a Lieutenant in DES. Mike married Nancy on September 4, 1979. They met at Ft. Rucker, Alabama while serving in the Army as MPs. They are married 45 years. Mike and Nancy were inseparable. He always said he took Nancy from the end of the alphabet to the beginning. His love for his boys and grandchildren was immeasurable. They were blessed to have two sons together, James “Jimmy” Michael Cottrill and Jason “Jay” Corey Cottrill. He is also survived by his brother, Chuck Cottrill (Jan); sisters, Debbie Bromstead, Machelle “Shell” Schoenherr, Brenda Felber, Linda Kordecki (Jeff); grandchildren, Emmah Schmidt, Van Cottrill, Koen Cottrill, Harlow Cottrill, Kenzie Johnson, Cobi Johnson Marsh; and a host of nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews; as well as friends, Jimmy Siepler, Rick Smith, and Kenneth Robinson (Phylis). He is preceded in death by his mother, Janice Irene Cottrill; grandmother, Faith Kelso; grandfather, Henry Kelso; nephew, Nickie Schoenherr; aunt, Joyce Lane; uncle, Donnie Booton; and his life long friend, Sissy Hansen. Mike loved his family and considered his boys his greatest accomplishment. He was proud to call them his own. The boys called him “Superman.” The boys adored their dad to pieces and will always cherish the memories they have with him. He loved his grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them and sharing his many stories just to make them laugh. Mike was a big prankster and always looking for that laugh, which he always managed to get. The grandchildren fondly called him “Bop.” He enjoyed the Ft. McClellan retiree breakfast with his depot retiree buddies. Mike loved all things sports. He played touch football, softball, tennis (with that "English" spin on the ball), bowling, pool,and golfing. He loved playing Pinnacle with his Mom, spades with his friends (if you were on his team, he always said you would win and he was right). Mike was a "wild and crazy guy", loved by so many. He couldn't wait for football season. He was a big Alabama fan and enjoyed giving his boys a hard time when they beat Georgia. They shared a love of Chicago Cubs baseball with their Dad. Mike never missed a Green Bay Packer's game and would call his brother, Chuck, just to mess with him when they beat the Vikings. Even though he loved his sports, he loved his family above everything. He reconnected with Military friends and it was as if no time had passed. Mike has such an infectious personality and a way to make even the worst situation bearable. He loves his boys and Nancy with everything he has. He was her "sweetie peetie" and she was his "honey bunny". The family has so many cherished memories. Out of all of his passions, his all time favorite was spending time with his family and friends. The family has so many cherished memories with Mike. His absence will never be filled and their will always be a hole in their hearts, however, they are comforted in knowing he is with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as well as his many family members that have passed before him.

Tributes

Michael John Cottrill

October 30, 1952 - October 13, 2024