James Russell "Russ" Cook

MSgt. James Russell "Russ" Cook, age 78 of Hanover, Indiana, entered this life on April 10, 1947 in Madison, Indiana. He was the loving son of the late James W. and Mary Ruth Whitehead Cook. He attended Shawe Memorial High School in Madison and entered the United States Air Force in 1965. He retired as Master Sergeant in 1985 after 20 years of service in the United States Air Force. He was the loving father to a son, James Anthony, and a daughter, SeLisa. He married Jennifer Watson on May 26, 1986 at Hanover Presbyterian Church in Hanover, Indiana. He lived his life in the Madison community except for his 20 years in the military. Russ was a member of the Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Madison. He worked 16 years with Kentucky Utilities before retiring in 2001. He enjoyed IU basketball, boating, and playing the drums. He had resided in Hanover since 1986. Russ died on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at 10:15 a.m. at the Thornton Terrace Health Campus in Hanover, Indiana.

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A LOVING FAMILY Russ will be missed by his loving wife of nearly 40 years, Jennifer A. Watson Cook of Hanover, Indiana; his son, James Anthony Cook and his wife, Janie of Palmdale, California; his daughter, SeLisa M. Cook of Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas; his sisters, Jacqueline Giden and her husband Willy of Indianapolis, Indiana, Kathleen Green of New Albany, Indiana; his grandchildren, Ashley Elizabeth and Dominic Alexander Cook of Palmdale, California; several nieces, nephews and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his father, James W. Cook and his mother, Mary Ruth Whitehead Cook.

THE MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIALFuneral Mass will be conducted Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 10:30 a.m., by Father Rick Nagel at the St. Patrick Catholic Chapel, 305 West State Street in Madison, Indiana. Interment will follow in the Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1415 North Gate Road in Madison, Indiana.

VISITATION Friends may call Wednesday, February 18, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. and Thursday, February 19, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive in Madison, Indiana.

THE ROSARYThe Rosary will be prayed on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive in Madison, Indiana.

MEMORIAL EXPRESSIONS Memorial contributions may be made to the Jefferson County Animal Shelter. Cards are available at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centres of Madison and Hanover or at the church. Online condolences, remembrances, and memorials can be left at www.morgan-nay.com

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