Florence Cottrell

Florence Adela (Clark) Cottrell, 94, of Bluffton, formerly of Geneva, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, at River Terrace Retirement Community in Bluffton, where she had lived for the past four years. She was born Nov. 15, 1928, in Bryant to William H. and Maude E. (Judy) Clark. She was married in 1952 to Samuel Frank Cottrell.
She was a Hartford Gorilla (“Ra, Ra, Ra”) grades 1-12, graduating in 1946. She graduated from Lutheran Hospital School in 1950. She worked as a registered nurse for 50 years. She worked at Riley Children's Hospital after graduation, in Boone and Jay counties, before moving to Geneva in 1961. Once living in Geneva, she worked for Dr. Donnelly and Dr. Andrews initially. Multiple physicians came and went over the years, but she remained in the same office for 40 years, retiring while working for Dr. Paul D. Steenburg. She is fondly remembered by her patients. Many report she was always quick and offered a warm smile or kind words. She loved nature, often stating that God’s world was full of miracles. She loved to crochet, read and spend time with family.
After retirement, she visited homebound folks in the community and taught literacy. She was a member of High Street United Methodist Church in Geneva, where she taught Sunday school, sang in the choir and served on multiple church committees. She attended St. Marks Church in Decatur and expressed on many occasions her gratitude to both church families for their prayers, cards and visits.
She was an active member of many community organizations, including Adams County Nurses Association, Geneva Proud and Friends of the Limberlost.
She is survived by her son, Ralph G. (Lynn) Cottrell of Maumee, Ohio; daughter, Beth A. (Fred) Chiappetta of Craigville; stepdaughter, Linda (Cottrell) McAllister of Decatur; 10 adored grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 2000; seven brothers, Clifford, Virgil, Calvin, Earl, Jess, Ralph and Donald Clark; and sister, Leone Weber.
Visitation will be Friday, Jan. 27 from 3-7 p.m. at Downing & Glancy Funeral Home, 100 N. Washington S., Geneva. Funeral services will be Saturday, Jan. 28 at 2 p.m. at the funeral home. Officiating will be Pastor Joe Lampton. Burial will be at Backesto (Springhill) Cemetery in rural Adams County.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the River Terrace staff, Fresenius Dialysis and Eleos Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, she and her family request that one plant a tree or take a meal to a homebound person.
Memorials may be made to Adams Public Library System-Geneva, 305 E. Line St., Geneva, IN 46740.
Arrangements provided by Downing & Glancy Funeral Home in Geneva. Online condolences may be made at www.glancyfuneralhomes.com.