Earle Cooke, born December 9, 1941, two days after Pearl Harbor, passed on Thursday, March 26, 2015 of mesothelioma. Earle wanted to encourage any former Navy man or mechanic who has shortness of breath to get themselves checked out ASAP. Earle was preceded in death by his parents William Henry Wade Cooke and Ella Mae Parks; and two sisters, Lillian, and Ethel. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Marianne; sons, Bryan (Linda), Bryce (Bridget); daughter, Amy (Terry); sister-in-law, Charla (Mike); four grandchildren; also nieces and nephews. Earle was an avid antique tractor restorer and puller who enjoyed the “putt putt” of John Deere tractors; he enjoyed hunting and fishing all at his home in Baldwin. Earle retired from Sears after 40 years of service. He was a Knight of Columbus, a life member of the VFW and Amvets. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday 10:30 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle, 1449 Wilcox Park Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Rev. James Chelich and Rev. Ron Schneider presiding. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation Sunday 2-4:00 p.m. and 6-8:00 p.m. with the Rosary recited 7:00 p.m. at O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Chapel, 3980 Cascade Rd. S.E., Grand Rapids. A Memorial Service will also take place at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 740 East Ninth Street, Baldwin on Friday, April 10 at 11:00 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Ann Food Pantry, PO Box 729, Baldwin, MI 49304.
