Rachel Cotrel's Obituary
Rachel Edith Cotrel, daughter of James Ephram and Martha Ellen Johnson Coursey, was born December 31, 1921, near Falcon, Missouri. She departed this life Tuesday, April 18, 2006, in her home, near Falcon, Missouri, at the age of eighty-four years, three months, and seventeen days. On March 1, 1939, she was united in marriage to Thomas Herbert Perkins Cotrel, and to this union four daughters and two sons were born. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Herbert, on May 5, 1991; a granddaughter, Cheri Creasy; and two sisters, Leona Blankenship and Hazel Johnson. Rachel is survived by two sons, James Cotrel, and his wife, Shirley, of Upland, Indiana, and W. H. Cotrel, of Falcon, Missouri; four daughters, Mary Koehler, and her husband, Ralph, Betty Koehler, and her husband, Dale, Edith McCann, and her husband, Roy, and Nancy Hillme, and her husband, Doug, all of Falcon, Missouri; fourteen grandchildren; twenty-five great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Eva Layman, of Marion, Indiana; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends. She was born and raised in the Falcon community and attended Harmony and Barnett Schools. After she and Herbert were married, they made their home on their farm in the Falcon area and lovingly raised their family. In addition to raising her own children, she helped raise and care for forty-two other children, as well as anyone else who was in need. She never allowed a person to leave her home hungry. Rachel made her profession of faith in Christ early in her life and was a member of Porter Chapel Church. She helped with the operation of the farm and also enjoyed gardening and canning in her spare time. Her family was always most important to her and she especially enjoyed all of her grandchildren. Rachel was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, sister, and aunt, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and her accomplishments and will cherish the wonderful memories she created for her family and friends. Services will be held at 2:00 pm. Saturday, April 22, 2006, in the Holman-Howe Chapel. Burial will be in the New Home Cemetery, near Falcon, Missouri. Visitation will be held Friday evening from 7 - 8:30 p.m. under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon, Missouri.
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