Edwin Earnest Cook, age 85, lifelong resident and business man of Osawatomie, Kansas, died Friday, October 17, 2008 at his home.

Edwin was born October 3, 1923 in Osawatomie to Ralph and Winona (Arnett) Cook. He graduated from Osawatomie High School with the Class of 1941.

On January 31, 1942, he married Lorene Haase in Osawatomie. They became the parents of three children.

Edwin was a World War II veteran serving in the U. S. Army. He served overseas and was discharged in 1946.

Edwin worked for the Missouri Pacific Railroad for many years. At the age of 40, he started working as an insurance agent for American Family Insurance. He retired from there in 1982. They then ran a children's clothing store in Osawatomie, The Young Society.

He was a former Boy Scout leader for Troop 106, a softball coach, and a basketball coach. He was a past member of the Osawatomie School Board and a member of the Osawatomie Lions. His church membership was with the Osawatomie Christian Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter Marilyn Winegar, and his sister Shirley Troutman.

He is survived by his wife Lorene of the home; one daughter JoAnn (Jim) Newell of Olathe; one son Charles (Mary) Cook of Gardner; his son-in-law Steve Winegar of Osawatomie; his brother Claron (Jean) Cook of Osawatomie; his brother-in-law Charles Haase of Arizona; 11 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at the Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home in Osawatomie with military honors. Visitation will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Osawatomie Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Gary Troutman, Jay Cook, Matt Hays, Mark Giannola, Mark Farmer, and Mike Anderson. Memorials are to the Marilyn Winegar Memorial Scholarship Fund.