Joe L. Cooley, 61, passed away of natural causes at his home in Rochester, IN., at 9:15 p.m. on Thursday, January 19, 2012.
Joe was born in Plymouth, IN., on May 22, 1950. He was the son of John J. and Avis I. Renz Howard.
On October 15, 1967, in his parents’ new home in Inwood, Joe and Beverly J. Cowger were married.
He earned a Law Enforcement certificate from the Colorado Police academy in 1982 and served as a patrol officer and later detective until 1992. He drove truck from 1993 to 2005 and was then promoted General Manager for Commander Transportation until 2008, when he retired.
He was an avid outdoorsman. He loved hunting and fishing and enjoyed collecting antiques and collectibles, and spending time with his grandchildren.
As a member of the Elks in Fort Morgan, Colorado, he founded the Elks Drug Awareness Program.
Joe is survived by Beverly, his devoted wife of 44 years and by their three sons: Troy Allen (Sherri) Cooley, Kennewick, WA.: John E. (Tonya) Cooley, Vucelik, Germany and Terry Joe Cooley, Michigan City, IN.
Seven grandchildren survive as well, together with a sister, JoAnn (Bill) Martin, Bourbon, two brothers, Jack Howard, Bremen and Dan (Raelene), Syracuse, a brother-in-law, Sandro Sickmiller, Tippecanoe, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Also surviving are Joe’s father and mother-in-law: Wilbur and Donna Cowger, sister-in-law, Darlene Cowger, brothers- in- law Kelly and Shelly Cowger and Tim Cowger all of Rochester. Diana and Danni Overmeyer, Tippecanoe and Twyla and Michael Hartman and Melody and Clyde Avery, sister-in-law, of Argos. Joe was preceded in death by a daughter, Donna Marie Cooley his parents, two sisters, Debra and Ruth, and a brother, Robert Cooley.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 24, 2012, from 3 to 7 p.m. in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 North Michigan St., Plymouth, IN.
Funeral services for Joe will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, January 25, 2012, in the funeral home. Dewey Miller, pastor of the United Methodist Church of Argos, will officiate.
Interment will be in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Bourbon, IN.
Memorial gifts in Joe’s name may be made to Hope Hospice 1476 W 18th Street Rochester, IN 46975.
Dawn(Cooley) Becker says
sorry for your loss
you all are in our thoughts
Mark & Dawn(Cooley) Becker and Family
linda Clevenger says
Joe and Bev where always wonderful friends. We will miss Joe so much. All my love to Bev and his sonslinda.
Rhonda Vernatter Elliott says
Sorry to hear of Joe\’s passing. Please know you are in the thoughts and prayers of the Vernatter family.
Gary & Gin Sullivan says
Our condolences to the family.
Todd Zwetzig says
I worked with Joe for several years at the police department. It was very evident the love that he had for his family, and caring for other people. Joe always had time to give you wise advice, and treated everyone with respect. May God give his peace to all of Joe\’s family and and friends. He will be with us always in the great memories of his life and the time we spent together.
Jim Crone says
Bev and all the \”boys\” – we are saddened at the loss of a special guy. It was bad enough when you guys moved away! He holds a special place in our hearts and we will get to share war stories again some day! Thanks for letting Joe be a part of our life and that of our community! Sheriff Jim and Lynda Crone
Ann Trout says
Hi Bev,
I am so sorry for your loss. Joe was a fantastic person and he will be missed by many. We have missed you and wondered how you guys were doing. Please tell the boys were are sorry for their loss as well. Our prayers are with you.
Love, Ann Trout, Richard, Elaine Barker and Doug
Amy Allison says
Dearest JoAnn, my thoughts and prayers go out to you and the entire family.
Love,
Amy Allison
Laura Stutzman says
Troy, I am so sorry to hear about your father. I pray that God will comfort you and your family during this time. Sincerely, Your former gradeschool friend. Laura (Davis) Stutzman
Karen Barnts says
To Joe\’s Family,
I worked with Joe around 7 years at the Fort Morgan Colorado, Police Dept. Joe was good at what he
did as a Detective and a Patrol Officer. I am so sorry to hear about Joe\’s passing,he will be
missed by his family and all his friends. Our prayers are with the family in this time of sorrow.
Sincerly, Karen and Cliff Barnts- Nashville,Tn.
Jan Bean says
Joe (Buddy) was a dear classmate at PHS. Always the gentleman and all around good guy. I am sure you will all miss him greatly.
Jan (Boos) Bean, Class of 1968
Keith Kuretich says
To Joe\’s Family-
Joe became a mentor after I started with Fort Morgan Police Department in 1984. During his employment he contributed a great deal to this department over his career and will certainly be remembered for his personal forthright approach, no-nonsense attitude and for the respect he gained here and surely everywhere he went. Our staff in recent days has spoken much about Joe and our memories of him and I particularly while he was a Detective. I have always admired him and his persistence in finding the bad guy. He was hated by those who did wrong, but at the same time earned their respect.
Fort Morgan Police Department also lost another previous employee this week, Edith Stone; she was employed as a police clerk from 1969 to 1992. This summer one of our greatest Police Chiefs and later Sheriff, Gayle Davey.
We at Fort Morgan Police Department extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Keith Kuretich, Chief of Police
Fort Morgan Police Department
Randy Kottwitz says
Bev,
I am so very sorry to hear about your loss. I have missed you, Joe and the boys very much over the years. Some of my fondest memories are drinking coffeee, eating ice cream and playing dominoes with you guys in Wiggins and later in Ft. Morgan after you moved. Joe was always a special friend to me and all that new him and I am a way better man because of Joe. I will hold you and the boys in my thoughts and prayers and once again, my sincerest condolences.
Randy kottwitz
Wylie, TX
Orrin M. Knutson says
Dear Family,
Joe and I were close for the years he was a respected officer with the Fort Morgan Police Department (Colorado). We lost track of one another, but our times working together .. and fishing together are fond memories.
God now had a a great car partner!
Orrin M. Knutson
Peace Officer, Retired
Dawn(Cooley) Becker says
sorry for your loss
you all are in our thoughts
Mark & Dawn(Cooley) Becker and Family
linda Clevenger says
Joe and Bev where always wonderful friends. We will miss Joe so much. All my love to Bev and his sonslinda.
Rhonda Vernatter Elliott says
Sorry to hear of Joe\’s passing. Please know you are in the thoughts and prayers of the Vernatter family.
Gary & Gin Sullivan says
Our condolences to the family.
Todd Zwetzig says
I worked with Joe for several years at the police department. It was very evident the love that he had for his family, and caring for other people. Joe always had time to give you wise advice, and treated everyone with respect. May God give his peace to all of Joe\’s family and and friends. He will be with us always in the great memories of his life and the time we spent together.
Jim Crone says
Bev and all the \”boys\” – we are saddened at the loss of a special guy. It was bad enough when you guys moved away! He holds a special place in our hearts and we will get to share war stories again some day! Thanks for letting Joe be a part of our life and that of our community! Sheriff Jim and Lynda Crone
Ann Trout says
Hi Bev,
I am so sorry for your loss. Joe was a fantastic person and he will be missed by many. We have missed you and wondered how you guys were doing. Please tell the boys were are sorry for their loss as well. Our prayers are with you.
Love, Ann Trout, Richard, Elaine Barker and Doug
Amy Allison says
Dearest JoAnn, my thoughts and prayers go out to you and the entire family.
Love,
Amy Allison
Laura Stutzman says
Troy, I am so sorry to hear about your father. I pray that God will comfort you and your family during this time. Sincerely, Your former gradeschool friend. Laura (Davis) Stutzman
Karen Barnts says
To Joe\’s Family,
I worked with Joe around 7 years at the Fort Morgan Colorado, Police Dept. Joe was good at what he
did as a Detective and a Patrol Officer. I am so sorry to hear about Joe\’s passing,he will be
missed by his family and all his friends. Our prayers are with the family in this time of sorrow.
Sincerly, Karen and Cliff Barnts- Nashville,Tn.
Jan Bean says
Joe (Buddy) was a dear classmate at PHS. Always the gentleman and all around good guy. I am sure you will all miss him greatly.
Jan (Boos) Bean, Class of 1968
Keith Kuretich says
To Joe\’s Family-
Joe became a mentor after I started with Fort Morgan Police Department in 1984. During his employment he contributed a great deal to this department over his career and will certainly be remembered for his personal forthright approach, no-nonsense attitude and for the respect he gained here and surely everywhere he went. Our staff in recent days has spoken much about Joe and our memories of him and I particularly while he was a Detective. I have always admired him and his persistence in finding the bad guy. He was hated by those who did wrong, but at the same time earned their respect.
Fort Morgan Police Department also lost another previous employee this week, Edith Stone; she was employed as a police clerk from 1969 to 1992. This summer one of our greatest Police Chiefs and later Sheriff, Gayle Davey.
We at Fort Morgan Police Department extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Keith Kuretich, Chief of Police
Fort Morgan Police Department
Randy Kottwitz says
Bev,
I am so very sorry to hear about your loss. I have missed you, Joe and the boys very much over the years. Some of my fondest memories are drinking coffeee, eating ice cream and playing dominoes with you guys in Wiggins and later in Ft. Morgan after you moved. Joe was always a special friend to me and all that new him and I am a way better man because of Joe. I will hold you and the boys in my thoughts and prayers and once again, my sincerest condolences.
Randy kottwitz
Wylie, TX
Orrin M. Knutson says
Dear Family,
Joe and I were close for the years he was a respected officer with the Fort Morgan Police Department (Colorado). We lost track of one another, but our times working together .. and fishing together are fond memories.
God now had a a great car partner!
Orrin M. Knutson
Peace Officer, Retired