January 4, 2011
C. Kenneth Cottom
The Tribune-Star
TERRE HAUTE — C. Kenneth Cottom, age 89, of Terre Haute, passed away Jan. 1, 2011, at Southwood Rehabilitation Center. Born Oct. 3, 1921, in Blackhawk, he was the son of Floyd E. Cottom and Ethel (Hoff) Cottom. He married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Archibald, on Feb. 14, 1942. She passed March 18, 2008, after 65 wonderful years of marriage.
He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the Pacific, and also during the Korean War at Inchon. He taught chemistry, physics and biology at Gerstmeyer High School and Honey Creek High School. He became principal at Gerstmeyer and later became the Superintendant of Vigo County Schools. He finished his career as the principal at Riley Elementary, which he said was the job he liked the best in the school corporation. He had many hobbies including gardening, flowers, particularly roses, fishing, planting trees and traveling. He had homes in Canada and Florida where he enjoyed these hobbies. He was a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 972.
Survivors include a daughter, Mary Ann Schnake and husband Don of Grosse Ile, Mich.; a son, Jim Cottom and wife Patty of Terre Haute; grandchildren, Bethany Hensley and husband Izek of Indianapolis, Nate Cottom of Terre Haute, Donna Wycoff and husband Jon of Ypsilanti Mich., Mark Schnake of Grosse Ile, Stephanie Argyle and husband Morris of Provo, Utah, Christy Epsy and Leesa Miles, both of Birmingham, Ala.; six great-grandchildren; a son-in-law, Gordon Miles of Gadston, Ala.; a sister, Bettie Smythe and husband Clarence of Seelyville; uncle, Dale Cottom of Evansville; and one niece. He also was preceded in death by his parents; infant son, Stephen Cottom; and daughter, Sandy Miles.
Services are Friday at 10 a.m., with the Rev. Theresa Highus officiating. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Park. The VFW Post 972 will perform military burial rites at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
January 4, 2011
C. Kenneth Cottom
The Tribune-Star
TERRE HAUTE — C. Kenneth Cottom, age 89, of Terre Haute, passed away Jan. 1, 2011, at Southwood Rehabilitation Center. Born Oct. 3, 1921, in Blackhawk, he was the son of Floyd E. Cottom and Ethel (Hoff) Cottom. He married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Archibald, on Feb. 14, 1942. She passed March 18, 2008, after 65 wonderful years of marriage.
He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the Pacific, and also during the Korean War at Inchon. He taught chemistry, physics and biology at Gerstmeyer High School and Honey Creek High School. He became principal at Gerstmeyer and later became the Superintendant of Vigo County Schools. He finished his career as the principal at Riley Elementary, which he said was the job he liked the best in the school corporation. He had many hobbies including gardening, flowers, particularly roses, fishing, planting trees and traveling. He had homes in Canada and Florida where he enjoyed these hobbies. He was a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 972.
Survivors include a daughter, Mary Ann Schnake and husband Don of Grosse Ile, Mich.; a son, Jim Cottom and wife Patty of Terre Haute; grandchildren, Bethany Hensley and husband Izek of Indianapolis, Nate Cottom of Terre Haute, Donna Wycoff and husband Jon of Ypsilanti Mich., Mark Schnake of Grosse Ile, Stephanie Argyle and husband Morris of Provo, Utah, Christy Epsy and Leesa Miles, both of Birmingham, Ala.; six great-grandchildren; a son-in-law, Gordon Miles of Gadston, Ala.; a sister, Bettie Smythe and husband Clarence of Seelyville; uncle, Dale Cottom of Evansville; and one niece. He also was preceded in death by his parents; infant son, Stephen Cottom; and daughter, Sandy Miles.
Services are Friday at 10 a.m., with the Rev. Theresa Highus officiating. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Park. The VFW Post 972 will perform military burial rites at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
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