Larry L. Cotrell

Larry L. Cotrell, 85, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, passed away Monday, February 09, 2026.

Larry was born June 13, 1940, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, the son of the late Scott and Margaret Cotrell. He attended Westminster college and the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science and served in the U. S. Army. On June 05, 1965, he married Ann Arnold in Kirkwood, Missouri.

For over 40 years, Larry owned and operated Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff. He was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Missouri State Board of Funeral Service and was elected Board President. Larry was also the Past-President of the Southeast Missouri Funeral Directors Association.

In 1969, Larry was elected Butler County Coroner, an office he held for 40 years. During his tenure as coroner, Larry twice was appointed to serve as interim sheriff. Larry greatly admired the men and women who made up the City, County and State Law Enforcement teams and considered it an honor to have served with them.

An active member of the community, Larry served on many boards. He was President of the Poplar Bluff Industries Board and was elected to the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, serving a term as its president.

He was a board member of the American Red Cross and became the first Red Cross instructor in Butler County teaching classes to the Poplar Bluff Police and Fire Departments and to many employee groups.

Larry was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church, where he served on various boards. He was also a member of the Lions Club, served on the Three Rivers College Foundation Board for several years and for 30 years on the Commerce Bank Board.

A licensed pilot, Larry was a member of the Poplar Bluff Airport Board for several years and was Board Chairman the year a much needed 1,000-foot extension was added to the runway.

He was excited to have been a member of the Highway Board planning the extension of the four-lane Highway 67 to Fredericktown and their work to bring Interstate 57 through Poplar Bluff.

Over the course of their 60-year marriage, Larry and Ann traveled the world and enjoyed long dinners with friends and days on the river. Larry especially enjoyed having the family together.

Larry is survived by his wife, Ann; their two children, Lee Cotrell ( Robin Thies Cotrell) of Poplar Bluff and Susan Cotrell Wallace (Joseph Wallace) of River Forest, Illinois; four granddaughters: Kate Wallace, Wren Cotrell, Sara Jane Wallace and Lynn Cotrell; two brothers, Scott Cottrell III (Kathy) of Punta Gorda, Florida, and Jack Cotrell of Clearwater, Florida; nephew, Scott Cotrell IV; and many cousins.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 14th, 2026, from 10:00am-12:00pm at the First United Methodist Church. Funeral service will follow beginning at Noon with Pastor John Gregory officiating. Burial will take place at the Poplar Bluff City Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Boys & Girls Club of the Heartland Regional Workforce Development Center Building Fund, PO Box 55, Poplar Bluff, MO 63902; Haven House, PO Box 4875, Poplar Bluff, MO 63902; and Animal Welfare Alliance, PO Box 647, Poplar Bluff, MO 63902.

Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral & Cremation Services is honored to serve the family and friends of Mr. Larry Cotrell. Online condolences can be made at www.cwrfcs.com.