Leitha B. Cottrell, age 98, passed away peacefully at Vancrest of Hicksville on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, with her granddaughters at her side.
Leitha retired from the former Fabricon/Eagle Picher in Grabill, Indiana in 1976. After she retired, she and her husband moved from Hicksville to Coldwater, Michigan.
They enjoyed lake life and time with family there until she moved back to the Bryan area in 2002. Leitha attended the Archbold United Methodist Church, loved doing crafts and was a serious bingo player.
Born on September 5, 1926 in Defiance County, Ohio, Leitha was the daughter, of Delbee and Alta (Loucks) Ruppert. She married Randall W. Cottrell in Auburn, Indiana on March 22, 1945 and he preceded her in death on April 8, 1994.
Leitha is survived by her son, Ron Cottrell, of Ormond Beach, Florida; sons-in-law, Sam Lauber, of Archbold and Bill Kosier, of Stryker; grandchildren, Lisa (Mark) Biery, of Hicksville, Michele (Rob) Green, of Defiance, Tami (Todd) Hagerman, of Hicksville, Kealey (Daniel) Somers, of Plymouth, Massachusetts and Rebekah Cottrell, of Ormond Beach, Florida; granddaughter-in-law, Sue Stairhime, of Hicksville; 14 great grandchildren; 8 great-great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Marilyn Ruppert and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughters, Connie Lauber and Diana Stairhime-Kosier; grandson, Eric Stairhime; brothers, Russell, Teddy and Clifton Ruppert and sister, Thelma Gorrell.
Visitation for Leitha will take place on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Cornerstone Church, 232 West Arthur Street, Hicksville, OH. A funeral service will immediately follow at 1:00 pm at the church with her grandson, Tyler Levy to officiate. Interment to follow at Scipio Cemetery in Harlan, IN.
Memorials may be made in Leitha’s memory to the American Cancer Society. To sign the online register or to send condolences, please visit www.krillfuneralservice.com.
