Ralph "Dennis" Cottrell of Cherryville, Missouri passed away Saturday, April 10, 2021 at the Steelville Senior Living Center at the age of 74 years, 7 months and 30 days . He was born August 11, 1946 in St. Louis to Clent and Katie, nee Cox, Cottrell. He grew up in Cherryville graduating from the Cherryville High School in 1964. He attended Missouri Southern in Joplin, majoring in marketing. After college, he returned back to Cherryville helping in the family store, Bowers and Cottrell, eventually going to work at the local bank, First Community National Bank in Steelville as a teller and in marketing where he was employed for approximately nine years. During these years, Dennis was recognized by the University of Missouri for his continual efforts and support of the 4-H programs. In 1988, he received the highest honor awarded to a local citizen, the Extension Leaders Honor Roll. Dennis had served on numerous advisory committees for 4-Youth, Economic Development and the Crawford County Plan of Work.

In his early 20's, Dennis was saved and baptized in the Cherryville First Baptist Church where he played the organ for their services for several years. Dennis always loved music and learned to play the organ fluently. In the early 1980's for about three years, he was the director of the Crawford County Community Choir which performed concerts in Cuba and Steelville. He spent many hours of his time and energy as director but loved doing it for his community.

Besides the love of music, he loved reading poetry and writing about the life lessons learned, such as how to treat others, while working at the store in Cherryville. Most of all he loved his family and the fond memories he had with them.

He was preceded in death by his father, Clent Cottrell; grandparents, Ralph Dillard Cottrell and Bertha Ann, nee Bowers, Cottrell and William "Buffy" Cox and Mae, nee Greenwood, Cox; his special great aunt and uncle, Thomas "Tom" Jackson Bowers and Eugenia "Genia" Rose, nee Alexander, Bowers.

Dennis is survived by his mother, Katie Cottrell of Seymour, MO; sister, Janet (David) Wells of Seymour, MO; niece and nephews, Kayellen (Matt) Inskip, Clent (Cami) Wells and Kevin (Jessica) Wells; seven great nieces and nephews, McKenzie, Katie, CJ, Esther, Elizabeth, Kris and Anderson; a host of cousins; other relatives; and friends.

The Family received friends from 12:00 Noon until 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 29, 2021 at the Cherryville First Baptist Church.

A Graveside Service with inurnment was held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 29, 2021 in the Cherryville Baptist Cemetery, Cherryville, MO with Rev. Jim Chilton officiating. A nephew, Clent Wells read the obituary and shared memories. Music of  "Amazing Grace" was sung by the congregation and led by Linda Kreamalmyer.

Dennis chose cremation as his final disposition.

In honor of Dennis's love for dogs and cats and in lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Santana's Hope 4 Paws (Steelville Dog Pound).

The Cottrell Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home.

Santana's Hope 4 Paws, c/o Britton-Bennett Funeral Home
P.O. Box 457, Steelville MO 65565
Tel: 1-573-775-2123