Daniel Cotcher

COTCHER, Daniel Paul - Age 85, of Linden, died Tuesday, June 15, 2021.  Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Friday, June 18, 2021 at Fenton United Methodist Church, 119 S. Leroy St, Fenton.  Pastor Jeff Jaggers officiating.  Burial at Oakwood Cemetery, Fenton.  Visitation will be held at Sharp Funeral Homes, Fenton Chapel, 1000 Silver Lake Road, Fenton Thursday from 4-8 PM and at church Friday from 10 AM until the time of the service.  Those desiring may make contributions in Dan's memory to Fenton United Methodist Church or Methodist Children's Home Society, 26645 West Six Mile Road, Redford, MI 48240.

Dan was born December 23, 1935 in Argentine Township, the son of Paul I. and Ruth C. (Skinner) Cotcher.  The family moved to Fenton where Dan graduated from Fenton High School in 1953, from Flint Junior College in 1955, and from Michigan State University in 1957 with a degree in Business Administration, and was employed by General Motors for 35 years, retiring in 1991.  He was a member of Fenton United Methodist Church, and was Flint District Lay Leader for the Methodist Church for several years.  Dan was on the Fenton City Charter Commission, a Fenton City Councilman for eight years, County Board of Supervisors, and Township Board of Review.  Dan was an avid boater.  He loved to water ski and taught young people to ski.  He had a real desire to help children.  He was on the Methodist Children's Home Society Board of Directors for over 30 years and was President for 12 of those years.  He also helped get a children's home started in South Carolina.  Most of all Dan loved music.  He sang in the children's church choir at a very early age.  He was in high school and junior college bands, but his real love was singing.  He was in church choirs all his life, directed several choirs for a period of time, and was part of a men's quartet.  He sang in the Michigan Ohio Concert Choir under the direction of Thurlow Spurr for over 30 years and was chairman of the Flint Chapter for many years.  He organized and went on several work missions through the church and enjoyed traveling especially with the motor home.  Dan loved the Lord, enjoyed people, family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Surviving are: his wife, Ellen; daughters, Deborah Lynn Dickinson of Georgia and Deanna Leigh (Thomas) MacRitchie of Ohio; grandchildren, Clark Daniel Dickinson, Chase Richard Dickinson, Devin Joseph MacRitchie, Dillon Thomas MacRitchie; great grandchildren, Ellie Anne Dickinson and Kanon Daniel Dickinson; his daughter's mother, Beverly Brugger Furno; sister, Mary Elizabeth (Arthur) Strom; sister-in-law, Carolyn Sue Cotcher; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, David Jeptha Cotcher.  Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.