Major Timothy Cook, 58

 Major Timothy L. Cook (RET.) age 58, of Sturgis, passed away
unexpectedly Saturday morning ,February 28, 2009 at his home.

He was born February 5, 1951 in Tipton, Indiana a son to Donald and
Sarah Jane (Pickering) Cook.

Major Cook had resided in the Sturgis and Howe, Indiana area since 1988.

On July 31, 1999 he married Janice Romanyk at the St. James Chapel in
Howe, Indiana.

He had a long affiliation with Howe Military School and currently held
the position of Admissions Counselor.

Major Cook’s military career began as a Private in the U.S. Marine Corp
in June of 1969; he served two tours in Viet Nam with the 1st Marine Division. Other assignments included Japan, Thailand, Korea, the
Philippines, Hawaii and California. Some of this time was spent aboard
as aircraft carrier (USS Oriskany CVA 34) and a missile cruiser (USS Oklahoma City CLG-5). Sgt. Cook was discharged honorably in November 1976.

In June of 1978, he joined the Indiana Army National Guard. This gave
him many assignments in Indiana and around the world. In October of 1980
he went to Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a 2nd Lt in
the infantry. Major Cook served as a Platoon Leader, an Executive
Officer, and a Company Commander. Then he was assigned sequentially to
Battalion, Brigade and Divisional staff positions as an Intelligence
Officer (S2), a Battalion and Brigade level Operations and Training
Officer (S-3), and finally in the 38^th Div. as the Operations and Plans
Officer. Major Cook also served as a Liaison Officer for all Reserve and
Guard Deployments to Central America at Sato Cano AB in Honduras, in
1983. In August of 1999 the Major left active Guard and transferred into
the U.S. Army Reserves Retired. Tim was proud to have served his country
and received many awards and decorations including the Purple Heart.

Tim was a member of the LaGrange, Indiana American Legion #215 and the
Eagles Lodge #1314. He was an avid reader, enjoyed most all sports,
playing golf and pool and watching NASCAR racing. He was a dedicated fan
of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Oakland Raiders. He always
followed Indiana University Basketball and had a true respect and
admiration for Bobby Knight. Tim may have had many interests, hobbies
and involvement in the military bur the one thing he valued the most was
his family.

He is survived by his loving and dedicated wife of nine years; Janice,
Two Daughters; Angela (Howard) Murray of Plainfield, Illinois and
Kimberly (Shane) Strawser of Sturgis, Three Sons; Kevin (Martha) Romanyk
of Grand Rapids, Chris (Jaime) Romanyk of Sturgis and Doug Toedte of
Fort Wayne, Indiana, 11 Grandchildren, Parents; Donald and Sarah Jane
Cook of Frankton, Indiana, Three Sisters; Connie (Keith) Moore of
Frankton, Indiana, Debbie Coons of DeLand, Florida and Tammy, Three
Brothers; Brian Howell of Frankton, Indiana, David Howell of Wisconsin
and Donald (Shanna) Cook of Niles, Florida and many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 3:00-8:00 P.M. Tuesday at the
Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St.,
Sturgis. Funeral services celebrating the life of Major Timothy Cook
will be held at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday at the St. James Chapel located on
the campus of Howe Military School in Howe, Indiana. The Rev. Father
Philip Morgan and The Rev. Father David Yaw will officiate. A graveside
committal will follow the service at Oak Lawn cemetery in Sturgis. Full
military rites will be conferred by the U.S. Army Honor Guard.

The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Major
Cooks memory consider Howe Military School, P.O. Box 240, Howe, IN
46746. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.