Born December 1, 1944 in Peoria to Wilbert and Wilma (Nelms) Cotton, Sr., he married Alice Jackson on November 18, 1967 in Peoria. She Survives.
Also surviving are three daughters, Alice (Steve) Sellers, Alicia (Jeff) Marsden, Lisa (Jeremy) Bumbalough, all of Pekin; 11 grandchildren, Courtney Sellers of East Peoria, Taylor Sellers of Des Moines, Iowa, Jessica Carr, Bryan Cotton, Zed Marsden, Drake Marsden, Rachel Marsden, Macey Brown, Mary Brown, Lindsay Brown and Conner Bumbalough, all of Pekin and four great-grandchildren, Mellissa Carr, Sophia Cotton, Landon Carr and Ayla Noe.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Ronald “Dean” Cotton; one brother, Wilbert Cotton, Jr. and three sisters, Sandra Cotton, Linda Gavin, Sue Jackson.
Ronald had worked at the Brass Foundry-Cast Technology in Peoria for 39 years, retiring in 2007.
He enjoyed camping and fishing. He loved spending quality time with his grandchildren and attending their events.
His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday, June 3, 2022 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Rev. Judy Doyle will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home. Burial will be in Lutheran Cemetery in Peoria.
Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, One East Wacker, Suite 1500, Chicago, Illinois 60601.
To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com
