Melva Pearl Cook

Melva Pearl Cook, 90, of Marshall, Michigan passed away on Thursday, January 27, 2022 at Borgess of Kalamazoo, with family by her side.

She was born on October 21, 1931 to James and Genevieve (Bristol) Dowding in Homer, Michigan. She attended the former Mains School in Eckford Township and graduated from Marshall High School in 1949.

Melva married David R. Cook on October 20, 1950, at West Eckford Missionary Church, where she had been an active member for many years, and had taught various classes. She had recently begun attending Fredonia Holiness Church. She and her husband farmed together until their retirement in 1993, and were Farm Bureau members where she served as Women’s Chairman for a time. She also served as Eckford Township Clerk for over nineteen years.

She is survived by her children: Lynn (Fran) Cook of Marshall, Michigan, Terry (Shelley) Cook of Conroe, Texas, Cheryl Cook (Anthony Cuquet) of Boerne, Texas, Dale Cook of Charlotte, Michigan, and Tim (Pat) Cook of Marshall, Michigan, her grandchildren Lori Collard, Amy Cook-Beattie, Krista Krake, Traci House, Jenni Cook-Schwartz, Josh Cook, Cara Hoyt, and step-grandson Brad Taylor, and by seven great grandchildren, as well as brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by good friends who were like family to her.

Melva was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, her parents, her siblings, Ken Dowding, Freda Peck, Clair Dowding and Nora Kilby, and her daughter-in-law, Brenda (Gill) Cook.

Visitation will be from 3 - 7 p.m. on Friday, February 11, 2022, at Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 723 US Hwy 27 N, Marshall, MI  49068.  A memorial service, to celebrate her life and arrival into heaven, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 12, 2022, at the Kempf Chapel. Pastor David Nicholls and Pastor John Beardslee will officiate the service. After the service, interment will take place in West Eckford Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to the Fredonia Holiness Church, Haven of Rest Ministries of Battle Creek, or the charity of one’s choice. Funeral Home staff is available to assist with memorials. Please visit https://kempffuneralhome.com for more information.