Earl Cook

Graveside funeral services for Earl M. Cook, 87, of Milo, will be Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Adel. Memorials in Earl's memory may be made to the Milo Fire Department.
Born April 16, 1937, in Jasper County, Illinois, to Joe and Mary Cook. He was an older brother to Karan and Linda. The family made their home on the farm near Newton, Illinois. He graduated from Newton High School in 1955 and entered the United States Air Force in 1957, serving during the Korean Conflict until 1960. He was married to Katsuko Ota in Japan, and the couple was blessed with three children: Richard, Earl, and Livian. After returning from the service, Earl used his mechanical skills to find work and eventually started with Williams Brothers Pipeline, the work led him to Iowa. He later began working for the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 234. His experience and skills made him sought after on job sites. He could fix absolutely anything and specialized in the drag lines and other heavy equipment. In his free time, he loved being outdoors, you could find him cutting wood, searching for mushrooms, snowmobiling, riding motorcycles (a love he had since he was a kid), and helping others with broken machines. He enjoyed going back to the home place in Illinois checking out the farm and seeing family. Earl loved his family and remained close to them and was considered a great brother and uncle. Earl passed away at his home on November 23, 2024. He was preceded in death by his sons: Richard Joe and Earl Dean Cook; and brothers-in-law: Lyle Blake and Norman Wadle. He is survived by his daughter, Livian (Ron) Shaver; sisters: Karan Wadle and Linda Blake; nieces and nephews: Anita (James) Stewart, Alisha (Dion) Wise, Kevin (Amber) Blake, and Brandon (Caitlin) Blake; along with many great nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends; and of course his beloved dog, Chase.