Michael L. Cook Sr.

Michael L. Cook, Sr. Obituary

In Loving Memory of Michael L. Cook, Sr.

Michael L. Cook, Sr. (Mike), beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully on July 7, 2026 at Ohio’s Hospice of Central Ohio at the OSU Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, OH with family members lovingly at his side. He was born August 2, 1941 in Port Clinton, OH to Ralph L. Cook and Evelyn M. (Schmunk) Cook.

Mike graduated from Oak Harbor High School in 1959. He attended business school in Columbus and eventually began a career with the Lily Tulip Division of Owens Illinois. He worked in production planning and capacity planning for many paper products.

Mike married Diane K. Trainor on April 7, 1962 in Columbus, OH, and they shared 62 years together. Their union was blessed with four children, seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Later in life, Mike became Diane’s primary care giver as she progressed through a long term illness. We are eternally grateful to him for that.

Mike and Diane relocated often due to Mike’s career-related transfers, living in Walbridge, OH, North Augusta, SC, Green Bay, WI, Westminster, MD, and Hanover, PA before finally returning to Columbus, OH.

Mike enjoyed boating on Lake Erie with his dad, fishing for perch and walleye. The family had many fish fries over the years with Diane breading and frying them with her special recipe and technique, which no one since has been able to replicate. Mike was also quite handy his entire life, working on cars and helping anyone in need with home repairs and home improvement projects. He also enjoyed watching football, golf, and NASCAR races.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Diane; parents, Ralph and Evelyn; beloved son, Robert (Bob); brother, Craig Cook; sister, Rebecca Wolfe-Boesel, and brother-in-law, Jon Boesel.

Left to cherish Mike’s memory are:

Son: Michael, Jr.

Daughters: Cari Crawford (Mike Lohrer) and Sheri (Scott, Sr.) Davis

Daughter in-law: Joyce Ingold Cook

Grandchildren: Keegan Crawford, Carson Cook, Cassidy (Cameron) Duke, Connor Cook, Scott (Kim) Davis, Jr., Seth (Megan) Davis, and Sierra Davis

Great Grandchildren: Lily Duke and Owen Davis

Nephews: Marc Wolfe and Robert W. (Rob) Trainor, III

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Mike’s honor to the James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute or Ohio’s Hospice of Central Ohio.

The family would like to thank the nursing staff and entire team for their overwhelming care and compassion for Mike and his family during his stay at the James Cancer Hospital and Ohio’s Hospice of Central Ohio.

In lieu of a traditional memorial service, we will celebrate Mike’s life with a family fish fry at a later date to honor his love of catching perch on Lake Erie.