Leon Michael Cotter

Leon Michael Cotter, age 72, of Beal City, passed away on March 14, 2026, at Woodland Hospice, surrounded by the love of his family. Born on June 3, 1953, in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, to Donald and Arlene (Yuncker) Cotter, he was the third of six children. Leon graduated from Beal City High School in 1971. He met the love of his life, Kathleen Steffke, while working at Central Soya/ConAgra in Mt. Pleasant, and they married on September 8, 1978, at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Beal City. Together they raised their three daughters, Krista, Maria, and Melissa, in a century-old Beal City farmhouse that Leon renovated with his own hands alongside his father and brothers.

A skilled and versatile mechanic, Leon spent much of his career as a farm mechanic at Tilmann Hardware, where he was known for his ability to repair nearly anything. He enjoyed traveling across Michigan on service calls and was deeply respected for his expertise and generosity, always ready to help family, friends, and neighbors. After retiring from Tilmann Hardware, he returned to work at MBR Power Products, where he continued to find fulfillment in the work he loved and in the relationships with his coworkers.

Leon was a devoted member of his community and a lifelong parishioner of St. Joseph the Worker Church, where he served for decades as an usher and was affectionately known for his long-standing involvement with the building committee. He was also a longtime member of the Beal City Knights of Columbus Council 3651, regularly attending their monthly breakfasts and warmly greeting others at the donut table in his later years. He proudly served three terms as Nottawa Township Clerk. In recent years, his greatest joy came from being “Grandpa” to his beloved grandchildren, Caroline and Lincoln Ranta.

Leon is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Kathy (Steffke) Cotter of Beal City; his daughters Krista (Jim) Ranta of Troy, Maria (Pat) Larrance and Melissa (Andy) Phillips of Mt. Pleasant; and his grandchildren, Caroline and Lincoln Ranta of Troy. He is also survived by his siblings Gary (Janet) Cotter of Harrison, Richard (Jane) Cotter, Wayne Cotter, and Dean (Cindy) Cotter all of Beal City, and Michele (Jim) Hatfield of Lake Isabella; his parents-in-law, Fred and Florence Steffke of Beal City; and many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Arlene Cotter; brother-in-law Kevin Steffke; sister-in-law Elizabeth Steffke; and nephews Ryan Cotter and Ivan Aney.