W Leonard Cotter, 1918-2003, La Monte

W. Leonard Cotter, 85, of La Monte, died Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2003, at Western Missouri Medical Center in Warrensburg.

He was born March 9, 1918, in Marlette, Mich., a son of Phillip and Emma Kirk Cotter. On March 23, 1990, in Weslaco, Texas, he was married to Pauline Guier, who survives.

Mr. Cotter was a member of La Monte Baptist Church. He worked for General Motors and was a truck driver.

Surviving are two sons, Rob Cotter and Scott Cotter, both of Michigan; two daughters, Jeanne Sawdon, of Michigan, and Phyllis Smith, of Puyallup, Wash.; a brother, Leland Cotter, of Michigan; four stepsons, George Guier, Bruce Guier and David Guier, all of La Monte, and Steve Guier, of Colorado; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and 10 stepgreat-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his first wife of 51 years, Carmen; and a sister, Verna.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Moore Funeral Home in La Monte, with the Rev. Larry Chappell officiating. Burial will be in Clarkston Cemetery in Clarkston, Mich. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until service time Thursday at the funeral home.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Gideon Foundation.