At one time Mom and Dad were staying in their camper at our house. Dad decided to help me by mowing the 10 acres. At the same time they were having a fishing tournament at the lake across from our house. Dad sang "America the Beautiful" as loud as he could and drew alot of attention. I look out the window and alot of the guys fishing were laughing but he never skipped a beat!

Everyone that is here knows what a wonderful man my Dad was. As his daughter growing up, Dad and Mom started our family at a very young age. They grew up with us and made our lives fun. He was a very protective Dad even in his final days. My Dad tought us our life lessons by example. He did what God asked him to do and prepared us for the day we would meet our Savior. I am so proud he is my Dad and I am looking forward to our meeting in Heaven. Loving you always, your daughter Iralene

These are some of the things our dad said during his journey to heaven:

"I only like 2 kinds of donuts; fresh ones and stale ones"

Tim works the late shift and is used to sleeping during the day.  When he got up one day, Dad said, "What's he doing up?  He got up yesterday."

While mom was bathing dad, she said, "he has not smelled bad in 60 years."  Dad said, "then why does she have a problem when I pass a little gas?"

We kept a little bell by dad so he could get our attention if someone wasn't right next to him.  Dad said to Karen when he rang the bell, "watch this, your grandma and all the girls will come running".  When grandma came running he said, "just a test."

When we would move dad from one chair to another and use the wheelchair, he would say "beep, beep, beep."

When Mom, Shirley and Paula were all talking together, Dad said, "shut up, I'm trying to talk"  Everyone listened and he said, "I need some Squirt (to drink)"

Paula couldn't hear what dad was saying to her so she said "what"?  He said, "I talk mumbo jumbo but I'm cute."

When dad coughed, mom said, "Are you o.k. Ben?"  He said, "no, I'm sick."

One morning dad had eaten cream of wheat.  It had become one of his regular breakfast's for a while.  Later, mom decided to make breakfast for others.  Dad said, "tell your mom I know she's trying to trick me, I smell bacon."

On dad's 2nd day home from the hospital he told us to love everybody, you always get back more than you give, so love everybody.  When talking to mom about it, she said, "Well, he proved it, didn't he."

Dad told Shirley that if she needed to go home to go ahead and go.  He said "there will be 2 strong people here with me.  There's your mom, Ben and Sheila, 2 strong people."

Dad slept almost the whole night on 2-16-12, for the 1st time since coming home from the hospital.  Iralene said "good morning dad, you slept really good last night."  He said, "I was up almost all night" then turned to Shirley and winked real big.

Mom, Pat and Shirley had to run errands on 2-16-12.  They were gone longer than they expected and Dad and Mom both were very anxious about being apart.  Right before mom returned, we had lifted dad higher in his recliner to help him breathe better.
When mom came in she threw her coat on a chair and went directly to dad.  She leaned over him to hug and kiss him and the chair tipped and mom and dad both ended upside down with mom on top of dad.  Mom was screaming and dad was startled.  When we got them upright again mom was so concerned that she hurt dad and was saying, "I'm so sorry, are you o.k. baby?"  Dad was holding on to mom with a shocked look on his face and he said, "you still flip over me!"

When dad came home from the hospital, he had many visitors and family spending the night.  Lots of cooking and laundry being done.  Mom tried to straighten up her linen closet and noticed a towel missing.  Dad said, "the kids think this is a hotel, they're starting to steal towels one at a time."

Iralene was feeding dad ice chips.  She suggested he lift his finger when he wanted another, to save his energy from speaking.  He lifted his finger and she said, "I just gave you one."  Dad said, "it was a trial run."  Later he held up his middle finger instead.

On Saturday, 2-18-12 it was a quiet day.  Some time after the nurse left, dad said he didn't want any more medication, he was too tired to breathe and he was ready to go home.  We prayed and cried and said some goodbye's that day.  We sang hymn's, which seemed to make dad feel calm.  It was a peaceful day.  At one time dad looked at mom and said, "you have a happy birthday."  Mom's birthday is March 2.

On February 20, 2012, 6 weeks after coming home from the hospital, at 8:25am, Dad was ushered into Glory by God's own Hand.  He battled long and hard to stay with mom.  We will miss him more than words can say.

When I think about my parents it's hard to separate them. They've always been a team.
   My dad was always a loving dad, a good example and he was always fun loving. When I was pretty young Dad would ask me to hunt fishing worms with him. He probably asked me because I was a tomboy and none of the other girls would touch the worms. Many people don't know this but Mom is terrified of night crawlers. Just so you know if you give her gummi worms it's not very funny. Anyway, Dad would take me outside and show me how to water the lawn. When it got dark we'd go out with a flashlight and catch the worms. Back then people would sit on the front porch with the neighbors in the evening. Mom would be on the front porch swing with her friend Donna when Dad would tell me to take a worm up to her. He sure got a lot of joy seeing her running and screaming into the house.
   When we brought Dad home from the hospital in January, he told us, "Love everyone. You always get back more than you give so, love everyone." It made me think of our own Family Easter several years ago. We gathered together at my church for dinner and when we were done eating we went into the sanctuary to sing together. After a while someone went to the fellowship hall for something and came right back. There was a lady eating our food. She was someone not thought very highly of in our community. One of us asked "What are we gonna do?" Dad said, "Well she must be hungry. Let's go feed her."
   I Peter 4:8 says " Above all, love each other deeply because love covers over a multitude of sins." I always liked that verse because I felt like it was saying to me if I love everyone like God wants me to he would overlook some of my sin. But recently when I was praying for Dad, God placed this verse on my heart and showed me there was another side to it. If I love people deeply, God gives me the ability to overlook the sin of those I love. They don't have to be perfect, just loved. And deeply is how my dad loved all of us.

My dad was like a big teddy bear.  He was big and cuddly, but also strong and protective.  I always felt safe when he was at home.  I knew no harm would come to me and my family, as long as he was near.
There were other ways that he protected us and showed his love.  He and my mom always made sure that we were in church, hearing God's word and worshiping.
I remember when I was a little girl, on Saturday night dad would ask me to shine his shoes for him for church the next day.  He would praise me and make a big fuss about what a good job I did.  I felt so proud and was always so excited to do this for him.  It wasn't till very recently that I realized I was being conned.
Some of you may know of Dr. Dobson, the great speaker and author.  He spoke about telling his children to, “Be there”.  Dad may not have used those exact words but that's what he was teaching us.  He wanted to be sure that his children would someday meet him in heaven, that we would “be there”.  When his family grew, his desire extended to the in-laws, girlfriends, boyfriends, extended family.  He considered them all family.  He wanted to be sure that his grandchildren and future generations also are there.
My dad was caring, kind, generous, thoughtful, and had an awesome sense of humor.  But I think the most important thing to him is that his family knows God as their personal Lord and Savior.  He wants to know that we will “be there”.
I love you dad.  And I miss you very much.

Your daughter, Mary Colley

Clara and girls:  Even though it has been many years, I have always thought of Ben and Clara on 11/24 (the same anniversary as my parents who just celebrated 55 years this past November). My heartfelt sympathy goes out to you and yours. Ben touched so many of us and was a very special person. Take care and God Bless.

I have the best memories of playing cards and dominoes on your visits to Florida. I truly loved spending time with you and Uncle Ben. I enjoyed hearing stories from the past and of your girls. I loved seeing the similarities between Grandpa Cook and Uncle Ben. We have been praying for you and will continue to do so.  Much love to you.

He was a lovely man and will be greatly missed.
Love and sympathy to all of you

Ben was a customer at my fathers gas station ( Brookmill 66) when he worked at Joslyn Steel. He was a kind man who was always smiling and happy

May God's peace surround you during the loss of your loved one.  May you find comfort in your memories and they also ease your sorrow.  May it comfort you to know that your loved one is now at peace.  He touched the lives of many and will always live in their hearts. May the Lord be with you and know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

Clara and family, we send you our sympathy on the loss of Ben. Over the years that we knew him, he was outstanding and always treated us with dignity and respect. Bill and Caroll Reitz

You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Love and Hugs

I pray that God will give us all peace, strength and comfort. We all have a task at hand. Grandpa would want us to give God all the glory even in our suffering. We have so much to be thankful for. Whether it's his advice, his humor, his love, his passion, or integrity, the only things we can say about this man are wonderful. What's better is that he is waiting for us with Jesus Christ and also his grandson Jacob who loved and still loves him dearly. As hard as it is, let us rejoice over our Lord's love for us and Grandpa's love for the Lord. Why shouldn't we? They are rejoicing. Also it has touched me so, that Betty's family is reaching out. I will always remember him talking about his siblings but when he spoke of Betty his voice had a tenderness about it. He never spoke of her without mentioning how beautiful she was inside and out. Thank you everyone so very much. Grandpa, we love you and we'll see you in just a little while, probably about half time.

Please accept my deepest condolences.  I am praying for you to get through this difficult time with peace and the comfort that comes from knowing that God loves you and will take care of you.

uncle ben was an amazing uncle,a very loving and care person, he made me know he loved me no matter how long we were apart by giving me a big hug. he always had a big smile. he was a wonderful brother to my mother betty  i loved him so very much. him and  aunt clara may made it so fun to be at thier house when i was young . i love you aunt clara  my love and prayers are with you always and your family may he R..I..P and be with my mother i mill miss him so very much

It was a great honor to know and to love the man that was the father of the woman I love dearly. Steve Colley,Fort Wayne

Uncle Ben, you were an amazing uncle, a loving and caring person.  No matter how long we were apart, you could hug me and make it feel like we were never apart.  You were a wonderful brother to my mother Betty.  You will be greatly missed.  My love and prayers go out to the family.  Love you all very much!  ---Linda O'Donnell Danikow

My condolences to the family.  I only met you a couple of times, but I remember your kind smile when others were falling apart.  I know you will be greatly missed by your entire family.

Ben was a joy to be around. We had a lot of fun and laughs together. We are so glad that we got to spend a few hours catching up on old times with Ben and Clara at a friends fiftieth anniversary. He will be missed by his family and friends.
Bob and Sue Mowan (Knoxville, TN)

Our sincere condolences go to you, Aunt Clara and the children/grandchildren....we never got to spend enough time with the 2 of you... But we always fondly remember when you stopped by our Georgia home when you were in the are...even the few times we met, we love the 'kindred' spirit contained in our mutual love for Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour....knowing that we will meet again for eternity....God bless you all.. Judy & Peanut.

Clara Mae - As a young girl, there were a few of my father's friends from Joslyn that I always looked forward to seeing - Ben was one of them!  He was always so kind and had such a playful nature about him.  The two of you together were a great example of what a fabulous marriage is all about!  You are in my thoughts and prayers.

He was an amazing loving wonderful man. A great father and grandfather he reminded me so much of my own father, he will be truly missed by all. Love Greg and Bev Cook

My Grandfather was one of the most amazing people I have ever met. He loved with everything he had and was always so happy. I can honestly say that in my 30 years I have never seen him in a bad mood. He loved and served the Lord religously. He loved 1 woman, the same woman for his entire adult life. He was an amazing father and such an awesome Grandpa. He set wonderful examples for us all to live by. He loved to joke around and was such a comic. He could make anyone laugh. The simple things in life made him so happy. Our family was incredibly blessed to have him in it. Grandpa, you will ALWAYS hold a place in my heart and not a day will go by that I won't think of you and miss you and I will always love you.

OBITUARIO

Benjamin Franklin Cook Jr.

16 julio, 1933 – 20 febrero, 2012

Hockemeyer & Miller Funeral Home

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