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Author: chastain
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Ronald “Ronnie” Eugene CogwellPassing: July 5, 2023

Service:

Chastain Funeral Home

Funeral Service

Sunday, July 9th @ 2:00pm

Visitation:

Chastain Funeral Home

Sunday, July 9th @ 12:00pm-2:00pm

Cemetery:

Mitchell Cemetery

Sunday, July 9th

MITCHELL – Ronald “Ronnie” Eugene Cogwell, 85, passed away Wednesday, July 5, 2023, at his residence.

Born June 2, 1938, in Mitchell, he was the son of Wilbur Aldon and Bessie (Brock) Cogwell.  He married Nancy Jean Westerfield on July 25, 1958 and she preceded him in death April 16, 2014

Ronald retired from the Indiana State Police after serving for 24 years.  He farmed, did crop adjustment for insurance, and refinished furniture.  Ronald enjoyed antiquing and owned Nancy’s Antique Shop.  He was a member of the Mitchell First Baptist Church.  Ronald was a member of the Mitchell Masonic Lodge No. 228 F.&A.M. and the Fraternal Order of Police.  He loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include his son, John (Sharon) Cogwell of Mitchell; grandchildren, Jonathan (Alyssa) Cogwell of Mitchell and Stephanie Cogwell of Mitchell; and great-grandchildren, Brayden Cogwell, Baxton Cogwell, and Brantley Cogwell.

His parents; wife; and siblings, Elenore Smith and Evelyn Ramey, preceded him in death.

Funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, July 9, in the Memorial Chapel of Chastain Funeral Home & Cremation Center with Pastor Dave Mikulsky officiating.  Burial will be at Mitchell Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from noon until the service on Sunday at the funeral home.

Memorial Contributions:  Lawrence County Cancer Patient Services

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14 Guest Comments

  1. Guest: David Jarrard | Bedford
    Date: July 8, 2023
    While I was a member of the Bedford Police Department (29 years) I got to know Ron. He was always welcomed at BPD and often showed up to give our officers assistance when it was needed. He had a common sense approach to law enforcement and a sense of humor that I appreciated. Sad to hear he is gone.
  2. Guest: Scott Fields | Mitchell, IN
    Date: July 8, 2023
    John and family, Was saddened to hear of Ron’s passing. He was a good influence on myself and lots of others who got driver’s licenses when he was patrolling our roads. Always was on the lookout for him if you were thinking of doing something stupid. I’m sure there are others who felt his presence. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time of loss. Peace, ~pete
  3. Guest: Chuck Cooper | Mitchell
    Date: July 7, 2023
    John & Sharon, may God give you comfort knowing Ron is now resting with Jesus. So very sorry for your loss. Chuck
  4. Guest: Jill Rice | Cloverdale Indiana
    Date: July 7, 2023
    I have very fond memories of Ronnie Cogwell. am Jill S Rice I came on the Indiana State Police in 1979. I was the 9th female Indiana State Police Trooper hired by the Indiana State Police. I stayed on the State Police for 33 years 8 months. I was the first female to reach age 65 and the first female to have over 30 years. I retired as an Indiana State Piolice Sergeant Investigator. Ronald Cogwell was one of my Counselor for my ISP 38th class. Ronald was an excellent Counselor and was kind and willing to work with all of us in the 38th class.. I was 31 years old and being a female Trooper was new to ISP. Ronald handled my class very well and he was fair and kind. I credit his leadership for my becoming a 33 year plus State Trooper. I am so sorry he is no longer with us. Prayers go to all his family , and friends. He was an excellent Indiana State Trooper.
  5. Guest: Ruthanne and Danny Blackwell | Bedford, Indiana
    Date: July 7, 2023
    We are so sorry for your loss. Please accept our condolences.
  6. Guest: Brenda Mckain | Brownstown, in 47220
    Date: July 6, 2023
    All volunteers of LAWRENCE COUNTY CANCER PATIENT SERVICES are so sorry for your loss.
  7. Guest: Cathy and Ron Blackwell | Williams, IN
    Date: July 6, 2023
    We are so sorry for your loss. Prayers for the family.
  8. Guest: Keith Eckensberger | Cameron Park CA 95682
    Date: July 6, 2023
    So sorry for your loss. He was a good man and a family friend . Keith
  9. Guest: Chuck Coffin | Franklin, IN
    Date: July 6, 2023
    Seated alphabetically (Coffin - Cogwell) during the Indiana State Police Recruit Class which began January 1972 at the Poplars Hotel in Bloomington, Indiana. Ronnie and I got to know each other well from day one and over the next quarter of a century. He was an honorable trooper, related well to people even at their worse times, and was comfortable handling tough situations. RIP Ronnie.
  10. Guest: Richard Wright | Chapel Hill, NC
    Date: July 6, 2023
    A great counselor of the ISP 38th Recruit School. He was always good for a laugh and gave sage advice to a young rookie Trooper. RIP Sir!
  11. Guest: James A. Sheffield, M/Trooper (ret) | LaGrange, IN
    Date: July 6, 2023
    One of my favorite stories during my 34 year career with the ISP involves Ronnie Cogwell. Ron was a counselor in the 38th ISP recruit academy, which I was a cadet. All of us in that class got to know him and liked him. Upon our graduation, December 14, 1979, Ron handed out our badges to us as we crossed the stage. When it was my turn, Ron looked at my badge, handed it to me, and before I could walk further, he grabbed me by my sleeve and said, “Sheffield no one deserves THIS badge more than you”! Needless to say, I was proud and appreciated his words. I was assigned to the old Ligonier Post where upon part of our training was to learn and memorize the radio ten codes. As I moved upwards through the codes, nearly at the end, I came to one the number that seemed vaguely familiar to me;; 10-96, which is the code for mental person. I grabbed my badge, and sure enough, the number on my badge was “1096”. Now I got the joke, I laughed to tears. It was not until a few years later that I had a chance to tell Ron that I got the joke. We both laughed. To this day, i still have that badge that the department so graciously allowed me to keep. I think of Ron every time I see it! My condolences to the Cogwell family! Ron, in a special way, was a part of my journey too! Jim Sheffield, PE 3886, badge number 1096.
  12. Guest: Mike Kern | Bloomington In
    Date: July 6, 2023
    So sorry to hear Ronnie has past. My Dad would have Ronnie stop me for speeding, I remember he stopped me every day for a week , I also told him I was in a hurry and just give me 10 minutes head start. Ronnie and I always got along . He would just laugh and tell me to slow down. Ronnie and my Dad had a good friendship. May God surround you and your family with love. Michael Kern Sr
  13. Guest: Paul andry | Paoli, in
    Date: July 6, 2023
    It was my pleasure to work undercover investigations with Ron. His sense of humor and his ability to deal with people with a genuine and down to earth manner made working with him, even in tough situations, enjoyable.
  14. Guest: Gordon Hochmeister | Indianapolis, Indiana 46227
    Date: July 6, 2023
    Ron was always a lot of fun to be around and talk to. Good Trooper and good friend.

Phone: (812) 849-2600 | Fax: (812) 849-3323 | email: services@chastainfuneralhome.com

Chastain Funeral Home & Cremation Center