Leo Cotton

On Tuesday, January 17th, Leo Frederick Cotton, loving husband,  father, grandfather, and friend, passed away at the age of 89. Leo was born on February 2, 1933 in Battle Creek, MI to Wallace and Anna (Mastin) Cotton. He graduated from Lakeview High School in 1953 and married his high school sweetheart, Barbara (Taft), with whom he enjoyed 69 years of wedded bliss. After marrying Barbara, Leo served as an Army Private in Korea and Hawaii and, upon his honorable discharge, began a long and storied career at the Battle Creek Enquirer newspaper for 42 years. He also spent many years devoted to a side career as a farmer.

A passionate golfer, his other hobbies included hunting, fishing, camping with his family, square dancing with Barb and their many friends, attending local sporting events, and traveling with family.

Leo is preceded in death by parents Wallace and Anna (Mastin) and his sisters Alice (Lynn) Robinson and Lila (Gene) Coffman.  He’s survived by his loving wife Barbara, children Doug (Lois); Brian (Sherrill), and Sara Gherman (Rich), grandchildren Joel Simmons (Courtney), Ali Simmons (Chris Brown), Evan Cotton, Barbara Jean Cotton, Lynlee Sevigny (Logan), Steve Cotton, Dan Cotton, Grace Cotton, and great-grandchild Nate Simmons.

Memorial service scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 21, 2023 at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Bishop Tino Smith officiating.  Following the service, a luncheon and time of fellowship will take place at the funeral home.  Committal service scheduled 10:30 a.m., Monday, January 23, 2023 at Fort Custer National Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation in Leo’s memory.  Memories and condolences may be left for the family at www.henryfuneralhome.org