Eugene Cotton, 86, of Pierceton, Ind., passed away at 7:25 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21, 2012, in Kosciusko Community Hospital, Warsaw, Ind.

On Nov. 9, 1926, he was born in Silver Lake, Ind., to Lewis and Clarice (Cook) Cotton. He married Betty Haney on Aug. 13, 1950, in Milford, Ind., who preceded him in death on Dec. 3, 1990. He then married Mildred Adair on April 13, 1991, who preceded him in death on Oct. 18, 2008.

Eugene was raised in Claypool, then moved to Pierceton in 1947. Eugene graduated from Claypool High School in 1945. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II as company clerk and military police. He served during 1945-1946.

Eugene was self-employed working in plumbing, heating, electric and carpentry. he also helped his brother-in-law farm, retiring in 1990.

He was a member of Pierceton United Methodist Church, American Legion Post #258, Pierceton, AARP, and Monroe Township Advisory Board. He also was a Pierceton United Methodist Church Trustee and Keystone Class Treasurer.

Eugene is survived by three sons: Ron (JoAnn) Cotton, Warsaw, Ind.; Terry (Veronica) Cotton, Warsaw; and Gary (Becky) Cotton, St. Petersburg, Fla.; two grandsons: Christopher (Kerri) Cotton, Pittsburgh, Pa.; and Michael Cotton, Fort Wayne, Ind., and one great-granddaughter.

He was preceded in death by a daughter: Lois Ann Cotton; five sisters: Virginia Denny, Rosemary Leedy, Pauline Landry, Clarice June Stitsworth Bone and Elvina Remisma; and two brothers: Charles and James Cotton.

Visitation will be from noon to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 26, at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Pierceton. A funeral service will follow at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home with Pastor Holly White officiating. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery, Pierceton.

The family requests memorial contributions are to be made to Pierceton United Methodist Church, 502 North First Street, Pierceton, IN 46562 or to Kosciusko Homecare and Hospice, P.O. Box 1196, Warsaw, IN 46581-1196.