Mr. Lyle J. Cotton

Lyle J. Cotton, 85 of Bluffton, passed away at 8:15 a.m. Monday, May 20, 2013 at Heritage Pointe in Warren. A lifetime resident of Wells County, he graduated from Ossian High School in 1946 and served with the U.S. Marine Corps. Mr. Cotton served 28 years as Bluffton City Court Judge. He also worked 45 years as a sales representative/agent for New York Life. He was born April 3, 1928 in Fort Wayne to Forest G. and Cleona H. (Hoover) Cotton. His marriage on July 27, 1947 was to the former Gladys R. McAfee, who survives. Mr. Cotton was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Bluffton. He also was active in Bluffton Masonic Lodge #145, attaining Scottish Rite 33 Degree, Order of Eastern Star in Waynedale. He was secretary of the Bluffton lodge for 23 years and was a Past Worthy Grand Patron for the State of Indiana Eastern Star in 1977-78. Lyle always took pride in working with the Boy Scouts and obtained the highest honor, The Silver Beaver Award. He was very active in the GOP, and was awarded the Abe Award in 2010. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Claudia Ann (Richard) Gipson of Dillsboro, IN, and a son, David M. (Kathleen) Cotton of Lynnwood, WA. Also surviving are eight grandchildren, Jason T. (Karie) Gipson, Alysa Shay Gipson, O. Bryce (Valerie) Gipson, Ian D. (Angel) Cotton, Dylan S. Cotton, Matthew S. Cotton, Joshua F. (Brandie) Cotton and Daniel C. Cotton. Other survivors are eight great-grandchildren and two sisters, Betty E. Inman of Bluffton and EuDora J. Yager of Panora, OH. He was preceded in death by a son, Steven F. Cotton, and a daughter-in-law, Judy A. Cotton. Calling hours will take place from 5 to 8 on Thursday and from 2 to 8 on Friday at Thoma/Rich, Chaney & Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton. A funeral service to celebrate Lyle’s life will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 25 at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Greg Rittenhouse and Rev. Larry Ray officiating. Burial will follow at Prospect Cemetery in Uniondale. Military Honors will be preformed by the American Legion Post #111 of Bluffton and the United States Marine Honor Guard. Perferred memorials are to First United Methodist Church or the Epworth Forest Improvement Fund. Friends can send online condolences to www.thomarich.com

Mr. Lyle J. Cotton

April 3, 1928 - May 20, 2013