Calvin “Cal” Cooke

Calvin “Cal” Cooke, aged 78, of Sault Ste Marie went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on November 25^th, 2022. He was born April 4^th, 1944, in Grand Rapids, MI to the late Fred and Ida Cooke.

  Cal grew up on the family farm in Dorr, MI graduating from Bryon Center Christian School. He went on to earn a teaching degree at St. John’s University in Newfoundland and then taught in elementary schools in Canada. He would teach at many different schools before finally retiring from teaching at Kalkaska Public Schools.

  He loved to goof off and loved to sing and if it was your birthday he’d sing, “Lang zullen ze leven”, to you. His love of singing started with the church choir in Dorr and continued through high school with the glee club and he even recorded two albums with hymns. He loved to travel which took him to the Netherlands to visit the land where his mother came from. He was not shy about his love for Jesus and the grace of God, even if you were a stranger. He knew all to well that life is short, life is precious, and one never knows when this life will end.

   He was preceded in death by his parents Fred and Ida Cooke (Rauwerda), siblings Gerard Cooke, David Cooke, Shirley Wassenaar, Clifford Cooke and Richard Cooke; sisters-in-law Jane Cooke and Mimi Vanden Berg and brothers-in-law Bob DeFouw and Jack Wassenaar. He is survived by his daughter Melinda Steelman (Cooke) and his son Benjamin Cooke. His grandchildren Aaron (Katrina) Steelman, Dustin (Chloe) Steelman, Naomi Steelman, and Caleb Piper. Great grandchildren Dimitri, Rosella, and Dexter. Sisters-in-law Amy Cooke and Novi Cooke and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Per Cal’s wishes he was cremated, and a simple graveside service will be held this coming spring at Jones Cemetery in Dorr Twp, MI where his mother and father are buried. A Celebration of Life and potluck will follow afterwards at 2851 137^th Ave. Dorr, MI 49323. Time and date to be announced later.

“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me,

though he die, yet shall he live…”  John 11:25