Charles "Charlie" Howard Cottrell

Charles Howard Cottrell, 77, of Centralia, passed away on October 30, 2024, at Eastridge Skilled Nursing Facility. Charlie was born on July 30, 1947, in Seneca, Kansas to Marvin and Mary (Harries) Cottrell. Charlie resided on a farm near Corning until 1954 when his family moved to Onaga. He was the oldest child and he and his siblings Helen and Warren were all three years apart. Charlie graduated from Onaga High School in 1965. He married Cindy Stein and was blessed with his first son, Scott. In 1974, he married Janie Gagna and was later blessed with Nichelle and Chance, with all three children born 7 years apart. 

Charlie worked for his dad at the Onaga Sale Barn and hauled hogs to St. Joe. After graduation, Charlie worked on sprinkler systems in Oklahoma, did welding for Henry’s Manufacturing in Topeka and then worked at Ryder’s in Topeka and Manhattan. He was one of three employees to start the Ryder’s shop in Manhattan. He and his wife purchased Henry’s Motel in Onaga in 1978 and managed the motel until 2007. He also worked as a bus driver and custodian for USD 322 in Onaga for many years while gifting students and staff with his wide smiles and his patience. He owned Cottrell Transport and hauled cars to salvage yards for several years until his health slowed him down. He survived a double brain aneurysm in 1994. Recently, he endured dialysis for over seven years and his family was blessed to have that additional time with him. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother Howard Cottrell, sister Helen Paxson, brother Warren Cottrell, brother-in-law Phil Paxson, and niece Deborah King.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Janie of Centralia; children Scott Cottrell and wife Sandi of Topeka; Chance Cottrell and wife Ashley of Wamego; Nikki Gausman and husband Scott of Kearney, Nebraska; grandchildren Hunter Cottrell and wife Emily; Blaize Gausman; Neely Gausman; Kenworth Cottrell; Mack Cottrell; and great-grandchildren Ariel Cottrell and Henry Cottrell. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Betty Cyphers and husband Tom, Concordia and by nephews Tom Sauvage and wife Amy of Pacific, Missouri; Tim Sauvage and wife Kat of Salt Lake City, Utah; Jordan Cyphers and wife Annie of Aurora, Kansas; and niece Brooke Bryson of Concordia. 

A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, November 23, 2024, at the Onaga Community Center. The family kindly requests that attendees dress casually in plaid or denim in honor of Charlie, who was always seen in his favorite attire.

Charlie chose cremation with private family inurnment at the Corning Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the Onaga High School FFA Alumni and can be left in care of Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home, PO Box 48, Wamego, KS 66547. Online condolences may be left at www.campanellastewart.com.