Richard Dean Cottrell; age 84 of Oil City passed away Thursday, January 22, 2026 at his home surrounded by family. Dean was born July 6, 1941 the son of Roscoe and Pearl (Foster) Cottrell. He retired from Dow Chemical in 1995 where he worked for 32 years as a welder/pipefitter. He was a Greendale township supervisor for several years and also served on the board and as a trustee. Dean was one of the original founding members who started, built, and ran the Black Creek Conservation Club. He was also a big trap shooter. Dean taught hunters safety for 40 years along with teaching many of his grandchildren how to shoot as well. He loved to teach anyone who was “interested or not” how to weld, golf, fish, or hunt. Dean helped his family build or remodel their homes as he loved helping his family and friends sharing his knowledge to others. He enjoyed telling jokes, sometimes having to be stopped by the family telling him he shouldn’t tell a particular joke at that particular time. Dean said he wanted to go out of this world with a sense of humor and he certainly did right up to the end. He loved his family and repeatedly said he “had a great family, not a bad one in the bunch!” Dean is survived by his wife Ellen; 3 children Rick (Teresa Webster) Cottrell, Teri Cottrell, and Eddie (Paula) Cottrell; 5 grandchildren Micki Fike and Robert, Timothy, Adam, and Brandon Cottrell; 3 great grandchildren Tayven Cottrell, Irelynn Fike, and Aspen Fike; his brother Marvin Cottrell; his sister Bonnie Honeycutt; and several nieces and nephews. Dean is preceded by both his parents and 3 brothers Roscoe Jr., Lee, and Clyde Cottrell. Cremation has taken place and there will be a celebration of life at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Berry Funeral Home of Shepherd.
