John Cook III

John Valentine Cook III passed away peacefully April 15, 2025, at home surrounded by his family.

 He was born in Terre Haute, IN on July 2, 1942, to John Valentine Cook II and Mildred Catherine (Reedy) Cook.

John worked in his dad’s drug store as a youth, was a paper boy for many years and a boy scout.

After high school at Schulte, he was hired at Harry’s Variety Store in Terre Haute and was assistant manager there.

On November 15, 1963, he married Carol Louise Childress.

He worked at Woolworth’s and Sears Roebuck downtown in the 1960’s.

In 1968, he transferred with Sears to the new Honey Creek Square Mall.

Over his 25 years at Sears, he managed almost every department as division manager.

After his retirement in 1993, he was a volunteer driver, taking veterans to and from the VA clinic and hospital in Danville, Il for twelve years. He was also hired to do bankruptcy for two years for Sears.

John’s hobbies included amateur radio for over 40 years and genealogy of his family. He enjoyed Schulte’s class reunions, Class of 1960 and spending time with classmates on Lake Michigan in later years.

John was a total family man who was always there for his family and his wife’s family too.

He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Cheryl Beth Cook Bowman and sister Susan Louise Cook Marlin.

He is survived by his wife Carol; daughter Laura Ann Cook Thompson; granddaughters Megan Nicole Bowman, Miranda Leigh Briley (Kyle) and Carly Marie Thompson; great-grandson Aiden Valentine Bowman (his close buddy) and his dear sister Jane Frances Laufman.

Arrangements were made by Greiner Funeral Home. A private service was held, and a burial took place at Calvary Cemetery.

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