Joseph W. "Cookie" Cook

Joseph W. Cookie Cook, 70, of Elizabethtown Road Manheim, died peacefully with his wife by his side at his home on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 following a long illness.

Born in York Springs, he was the son of the late Oren and Lois Rhoads Cook. He was a 1959 graduate of York High School and played football for the school. Joe worked for over twenty-five years at the Kellogg Plant of Lancaster; he also was employed in auto sales for Wolf Motor Car Company of East Petersburg. He was the loving husband of Williamette Billie E. Sharp Cook and they observed their 9th wedding anniversary in November of last year. Joe served in the U.S. Army and was a lifetime member of the Lancaster American Legion Post 34. Joe had a passion for the beach and boating.

He began a very active membership for over twenty years with the Coast Guard Auxiliary and Flotilla 14-07 Lititz where he served as the Flotilla Comander for several years. He taught safe boating instruction classes through the Coast Guard Auxiliary in the Lancaster area and helped with vessel examinations at Tuckahoe Acres Delaware. His Coast Guard friends were his extended family. Joe and his wife enjoyed traveling and spending time at Bethany Beach. Each year they would celebrate their anniversary by going to Disney World in Florida. His other interests included riding his Honda Trike and attending Manheim Central Football Games where he and his wife were passionate fans of the Barons and the Lancaster Barnstomers.

Surviving in addition to his wife is a step daughter, Sherri An Gerhart, two step sons: Kenneth Eshleman and John D. Eshleman, all of Lancaster, a sister, Charlene wife of Mervin Bruckhart of Lititz, two brothers: Jeffrey husband of Lisa Cook and Timothy husband of Patti Cook all of Manheim, a mother-in-law, Bonita Bender and her husband Ron of Jonestown, and many nieces and nephews. He will be missed by many friends. Preceding him in death is a son, Keith Oren Cook, two brothers: John and Paul Cook and a sister Wanda Horner.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend his funeral service from the Buch Funeral Home 21 Market Square Manheim on Monday, March 22, 2010 at 10:30 AM with Pastor William C. Willard officiating. Interment is in Memory Gardens East Cocalico Township. There will be a public viewing at the funeral home on Sunday evening from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM with additional viewing time on Monday morning from 9:30 AM until the time of the service.

Flowers will be accepted or those desiring may send contributions in Joes memory to the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla (14-07) 58 Green Acre Road Lititz, PA 17543 or Hospice of Lancaster County P. O. Box 4125 Lancaster, PA 17604-4125.