ELKHART — Bruce Woodrow Cogswell Sr., 69, passed away Monday at Elkhart General Hospital.

Bruce was born Aug. 21, 1943 in Kingston, N.Y. to Earl W. and Mildred (Houghtaling) Cogswell-Jones. Bruce Attended Kingston High School and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1960. He served honorably until his discharge in January of 1964.

On May 26, 1977, Bruce married Debi Abbey in South Bend.

Debi survives, along with their children, Sandra Marshall of Kingston, N.Y., Bruce W. Cogswell Jr. of Reading, Pa., Richard (Josephine) Cogswell of Charlotte, N.C., Cpt. Louis (Alyssa) Cogswell, U.S. Army of Elkhart, who is currently stationed in Bagram, Afghanistan, Savanah Cogswell and Katie Cogswell, both of Goshen; 12 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Bruce is survived as well by his siblings, Margaret (George) Vogt of Port St. Lucie, Fla., Shirley (Clifford) Johnson of Mottville, Mich., and Ralph (Cheryl) Cogswell of Berwick, Pa.; along with several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father.

Visitation will take place Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Chapel Hill Funeral Home in Osceola. There will also be one hour of calling prior to the 10 a.m. funeral service Saturday at Jamestown United Methodist Church, 59218 C.R. 3, Elkhart.

Interment and military honors will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola.

Bruce arrived in the Elkhart area as a country music promoter for the Grand Ole Opry. He was later self employed as a graphic artist for more than 35 years, specializing in paper printing, screen printing, and later, banners and signs. He enjoyed country music and played in several bands throughout his lifetime as a guitar player and lead singer, most notably for the Boone County Band. Bruce also founded the group, “Fishers of Men,” a Christian missionary band who played weekly at the Belmont Neighborhood Fellowship in Elkhart. He was also a longtime member of the Jamestown United Methodist Church.

Bruce also volunteered his time with many organizations such as the Baugo Township Lions Club, the American Legion Post 308, the Indiana Patriot Guard Riders, the Cogswell Association as webmaster for family genealogy and the U.S.S. Blandy Association. In his spare time, he enjoyed running model trains, riding his Harley and running his side business “Barnacle Bill’s Ship Store.”

To leave an online condolence for the Cogswell family, visit www.chapelhillmemorial.com.