Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Cook, Joel Potter 1907
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Marilyn Ransom mlnransom@chartermi.net September 19, 2010, 2:49 pm

The Belding Banner, Thursday, February 14, 1907


Joel Potter Cook was born in the town of Avon, Oakland county, Michigan, July 
17, 1839, died at Smyrna, February 4, 1907, aged 67 years, 6 months and 18 
days.  Mr. Cook came with his pioneer parents, Luther B. and Nancy M. Cook, to 
their farm on section 12 of Grattan township in March 1844.

He was married to Ordelia C. Coons March 17, 1866, who passed away May 16, 
1880.  The fruit of this union was one son, Homer Cook, who, with his faithful 
wife, have made the declining years of his widowed father one of comfort and 
enjoyment in their own home to the last. 

Mr. Cook was converted under the labors of Rev. Francis Prescott at the age of 
twenty and baptized into the fellowship of the First Baptist church of 
Oakfield, Michigan, February 29, 1860, of which he was an earnest, Christian 
worker until his removal to Smyrna June, 1875, where he continued his work 
with the First Baptist church of Smyrna as long as his physical strength would 
permit him to attend its meetings.  For forty years Brother Cook has been the 
one whom almost every family in the vicinities of Oaksfield and Smyrna 
churches have looked for to attend their funerals, and when the dread visitor 
came the bereaved family had only to notify Mr. Cook of their need of his 
assistance and he at once left his work, regardless of any inconvenience or 
sacrifice to himself, made the necessary arrangements and, with his choir, 
sang the sweet songs of comfort and solace to bleeding hearts in the hours of 
earthly separation.

Mr. Cook was one of those earnest Christians whose constant efforts was to 
pour the oil of gladness and peace upon all alike.  No man in the vicinity has 
paid more Christian visits to families to urge them to become co-workers in 
the field of the Master.  His whole life has been an example of faithful, 
Christian trust and implicit confidence in his Savior.  All his last days have 
been full of his trust in the Lord, and in all his days of suffering no word 
of complaint has passed his lips.  And his constant word has been—“He doeth 
all things well.”  “I have so much to be thankful to my Heavenly Father for.”

Joel Cook was the second child of a family of eleven, three only of whom 
survive: Etta Green, of Seattle, Washington, Ella Williams, of Benton Harbor, 
and Elmer C. Cook, of Belding, Michigan.  

Truly “A good man has gone.”

Card of Thanks:

Through the columns of the Banner we desire to express our thanks to the many 
friends and neighbors, who by their kind offices aided us so much during the 
sickness and death of Joel Cook.  To those who so generously contributed such 
an abundance of flowers, and to the singers for the excellent music rendered.  
To all threse and many others would we extend our sincerest thanks.  May all 
find as true friends in time of trouble as it has been our privilege to have.

Mr. and Mrs. Homer Cook
Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Cook
Mrs. J. H. Williams


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