Dr. Melvin "Mel" Cook

Dr. Melvin "Mel" Duane Cook, 94, passed away on Saturday morning, April 25, 2026, at Lincoln Hills Health Care Center. Mel was born on April 24, 1932, in Hyannis, Nebraska, to the late Homer and Helen (Lineback) Cook.

Mel attended the University of Nebraska Medical School and went to Rochester Surgical School in Rochester, New York. He then did his internship in Ohio before spending two years in the Air Force Medical Unit, Salina, Kansas. Mel came to New Albany in the early sixties, where he practiced with Dr. William Garner and at Floyd Memorial Hospital. Mel retired from medicine in June 2002.

Mel enjoyed golf, fishing, flying his plane, training and handicapping race horses on his farm located on Grant Line Road. Eventually, he had his own training track at his farm. He continued his love of handicapping until 2024.

Mel is preceded in death by his loving grandparents, his parents, his wife, Gloria (Tersini) Cook, his wife, Rebecca (Smith) Cook, and his brother, Marty Cook.

Mel is survived by his loving wife, Carol (Jackson) Cook, daughters, Renee and Michelle Cook, sister, Peggy Lobdell of Colorado, his brother, Tim Cook (Trudy) of Alaska, step-daughter, Molly Howard (Cameron), and his two granddaughters, Lila and Maggie Howard.

A visitation will be held at Kraft Funeral Service, 2776 Charlestown Road, New Albany, Indiana, on Thursday, April 30, 2026, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.

A funeral service will be held at Kraft Funeral Service, New Albany, Indiana, on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 2:00 pm.

A private entombment will take place at Kraft-Graceland Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to St. Croix Hospice, 1710 State Street, New Albany, Indiana, 47150, or Salem United Church of Christ, 2295 Payton Road, Elizabeth, IN 47117.