North Vernon
Gail L. Cook, 72, of North Vernon, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family September 8, 2016, at Indiana University hospital.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, at St. Mary’s Church in North Vernon. The Rev. Jerry Byrd will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 until 8 p.m. Monday at Sawyer-Pickett Funeral & Cremation Service, with a rosary service at 3:30 p.m. Burial will be in Vernon Cemetery.
He was born in Fort Worth, Texas, June 29, 1944, to James Martin and Donna Belle Cook and grew up in Plymouth, Indiana. He married Patricia “Patty” Biehle June 8, 1968, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in North Vernon.
Gail studied wildlife management at Purdue University and received a degree in business administration from IU Southeast. He loved the outdoors and was an avid fisherman who especially liked to fish the Boundary Waters between Minnesota and Canada. He also was an Indiana Master Naturalist. Gail was a communications technician in the Navy during the Vietnam war and worked in Naval Security.
He was active in several local organizations and was president of the Rotary Club of North Vernon. Gail also was past president of the Jaycees of North Vernon, and the Purchasing Management Association of Seymour. He taught CPR and First Aid for 35 years and also was a First Responder instructor. He was a Purchasing Manager for several different companies and retired from Biehle Systems, Inc. in April 2012. He coached or umpired softball games for over 30 years.
His greatest love was spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-granddaughter. He relished breakfasts on Saturday with his grandkids and family trips to Clifty Falls. He also deeply loved his dogs.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Patty; daughters, Dara (Kevin) Dougherty of North Vernon, Danene (Donnie) Pifer of Seymour and Danette (Tom) Kirchner of North Vernon; sister, Carol Jean Barlund of Texas; grandchildren Kayla Cox, Chelsea (Justin) Estes, Colton Pifer, Dani Kirchner, Adam Dougherty, Matt Kirchner, Bryce Kirchner and Caleb Dougherty; and great-granddaughter, Lillian Estes. He is also survived by two step-grandchildren and four step-great-grandchildren.
Gail was preceded in death by his parents and brother, James R. Cook.
Memorials may be made through the funeral home to St. Vincent DePaul.
Friends and family are invited to light a candle or leave a message of condolence in Mr. Cook’s memory at www.sawyerfuneralservice.com.
