Mr. Richard Allen "Cookie" Cook , age 66, of Cross Plains, Indiana, entered this life on February 8, 1947, in Birdseye, Indiana, the loving son of, John B. & Mae (Partenhemier) Cook. He was raised in Cross Plains, Indiana, where he attended Benham Grade School & Cross Plains High School. Cookie was inducted into the United States Army on September 1, 1965, in Cincinnati, Ohio, serving two tours of duty during the Vietnam War as a Paratrooper & Ground Founder. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, the Purple Heart, Parachutist Badge, Air Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal & Army Commendation Medal. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant on August 30, 1968, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Cookie was united in marriage on March 15, 1969, in Canaan, Indiana, to Anita Marie Smith & to this union arrived a daughter & a son to bless their home. Cookie & Anita shared 45 years of marriage together until his death. After 40 years of service, Cookie retired as a Tool & Dowel Maker in 2008 from Grote Industries Inc. in Madison, Indiana. He was a member of the Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Olean, Indiana, Versailles American Legion Post No. 173 in Versailles, Indiana & the Madison VFW Post No. 1969 in Madison, Indiana. Cookie will be remembered for his love of hunting, fishing, NASCAR Tony Stewart, riding horses & dirt track racing. Cookie died on Friday, January 31, 2014, at 11:45 a.m. at his residence in Cross Plains, Indiana.
A LOVING FAMILY
Cookie will be missed by his wife of 45 years: Anita Marie (Smith) Cook of Cross Plains, Indiana; his daughter: Christy Orwig & her husband: Bill of Versailles, Indiana; his son: Richard Cook, Jr. of Cross Plains, Indiana; his mother: Mae (Partenhemier) Cook of Cross Plains, Indiana; his grandchildren: Andrew, Craig, Steven, Shenna & Shaylena; his great-grandchildren: Connor & Rayne; his sister: Carolyn Hammons of Canaan, Indiana; his niece: Tracy Taylor; his nephew: Brent Hammons. He was preceded in death by his father: John B. Cook and an infant daughter, Teresa Lynn died, Sept. 8, 1969.
FUNERAL CEREMONY
Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, February 5, 2014, at 1:00 p.m., by Rev. Jerry Brooks at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive Madison, Indiana. Interment will follow in the St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Olean, Indiana.
VISITATION
Friends may call Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive in Madison, Indiana.
SPECIAL SERVICES
A final salute will be conducted on Wednesday, February 5, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. by the Honor Guard of the Versailles American Legion Post No. 173 at the Saint Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Olean, Indiana.
MEMORIAL EXPRESSIONS
Memorial contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans. Cards are available at the funeral home.