Obituaries : Gale E. Cook

Gale E. Cook

URBANA: Gale E. Cook, age 89 of Osage, formerly of Manly and Urbana died May 5th at Mitchell County Regional Health Center in Osage. Graveside Services will be held at 11 AM, Saturday, May 12, 2012 at Urbana Cemetery with full military rites conducted by the Walter J. Meycoks American Legion Post # 264 and Iowa Military Funeral Honors. There will be no visitation, according to his wishes.

Gale was born to Vernon and Pearl Cook on June 11, 1922, in Vinton, Iowa. The family moved to Manly and then later to Charles City where he graduated from high school. He joined the Army Air Corps in October, 1942, and was discharged May, 1946, after serving in India and Burma.

Gale was united in marriage to Norma L. Hepker August 9, 1947.

Gale was recalled to active duty October, 1950, serving in Japan, the Philippines, Texas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Illinois, and California, retiring August, 1969. After the military, he worked for Procter & Gamble in California, and retired in 1984. Gale and Norma moved to the Lake of the Ozarks, MO, living there ten years before returning to Iowa. Norma died March 27, 1996.

Gale married Beverly Metzger in November, 1997, and she died March, 2002. He then married Nova Kobernusz in July, 2003. They had recently moved to Apple Valley Assisted Living in Osage.

Gale was a life member of the American Legion and the VFW.

Gale is survived by his wife, Nova Cook of Osage; daughter Carol (Kenneth) Patterson of Lafayette, IN; 3 step-daughters: Gloria (Alan) Ganshert of Osage; Racinda (Cindy) Metzger of Howell, NJ; Ranita (Ron) Derocher of Westfield, IA. Also surviving are 3 grandchildren: Scott (Toni), Brett (Heather), Krista Minton (Troy); 3 step-grandchildren: Cassie, Cory, and Ryan; 8 great-grandchildren: Christian, Tyler, Isaak, Ashlyn, Andrew, Luke, Dylan, and Amelia.

Phillips Funeral Homes in Vinton is in charge of arrangements.