Eleanor Cotter, 79, of Hammond, IN, passed away Wednesday, March 13th, at Hospice of the Calumet Area in Munster. She was born in Nottawa on October 9, 1939, a daughter of the late Arthur and Violet (Parham) Cotter. Eleanor graduated from Centreville Schools in 1957.

She worked as an admissions counselor at Purdue University for 20 years, retiring in 1998. Eleanor enjoyed tending to her gardens and doing arts and crafts, especially ceramics. She loved traveling to different light houses and watching the manitees.

Eleanor is survived by sons Brian (Amy) Kile of Hammond, IN, Scott (Kim) Kile of Marcellus, and Bruce (Connie) Kile of Highland, IN; grandchildren Kadin Kile, Brittany Kline, Nicolas Kile, Gabrielle Kile, Christopher Kile, Matthew Kile, and Melissa Kile; and great grandchildren Molly, Jayce, Aaria, Athena, Roman, Cody, and Aiden. Also surviving are siblings Francis Coleman of South Bend, IN and James (Martha) Cotter of Centreville, companion Bob Crosswhite of Chicago, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Beverly Minger and Lois Hobbs, and brothers Robert Cotter and Dale Cotter.

Relatives and friends will be received Saturday 4-6 at Eley Funeral Home, Centreville with religious services following at 6. Cremation will then take place and an interment of ashes will occur in Nottawa Cemetery at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be given to the Parkinson's Association of West Michigan (260 Jefferson Ave. SE Suite 210, Grand Rapids, MI 49503).

Online condolences can be left for the family at www.eleyfuneralhomes.com.