Donald Howard Cotten, Crawfordsville, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2026, at Hickory Creek, Crawfordsville.
He was born in Parke County, Indiana, on Nov. 30, 1933, the son of Wm Francis and Emma Ping Cotten. He married Deloris A. Cotten on Oct. 11, 1985.
Donald retired from RR Donnelley, previously owned the New Market Sunoco gas station, drove for Karle Trucking, and was a member of the Moose Lodge for many years. He and his wife, Deloris loved going to flea markets and had an antique business for several years. He was such a jokester and always had everyone laughing. He was a “mountain man” at heart, an avid collector of many things, a mushroom hunter, and loved target shooting with any type of firearm, especially the big guns. He was an exceptional wood carver and made many things throughout his lifetime.
He is survived by his sons, Ronald Cotten, Crawfordsville, Thomas Cotten, Mississippi, and Timothy Cotten, New Market; and step-daughters, Michelle (David) O’Hair, Martinsville, Jennifer (Mark) Nicholson, Mansfield, Georgia and Victoria Brown, Rockville. Also surviving are several loving nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was “Grampa” to all who met him, and he loved his family dearly.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Deloris; son John Cotten; step-son William Phillips; and his brothers, Irvin, Lowell and Martin.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. July 18, at Hunt & Son Funeral Home, with burial to follow at Freedom Cemetery. Friends may call prior to service, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Online condolences may be left at http://www.huntandson.com.
