Lynn Cotterman

Lynn Cotterman, 86, died September 29, 2011. He was born to the late Clifford L. and Hazel (Elkins) Cotterman in Cass County, Indiana on May 21, 1925. After graduating from Logansport High School, Lynn entered the Army Air Force and was trained as a navigator for B-24 Heavy Bomber Aircraft. At age 19, he was stationed in Italy and flew combat missions over Germany. Following the war, Lynn received a BS in Civil Engineering from Purdue University, where he met Patricia Nowinski, a Purdue pharmacy graduate. They were married for 30 years, until Pat's death in 1981. Lynn worked as a project engineer with the H. D. Tousley Company in Indianapolis until he was recruited by Marquardt Aircraft Company in Van Nuys, CA. He later worked for a contractor in South Bend. Lynn and Pat eventually moved back to Indianapolis, where he partnered with Fred Falender to build apartments and small strip shopping centers, and developed multi-family and commercial properties. Lynn was active in St. Luke Catholic Church in Indianapolis in various capacities, including finance, ushering, and fundraising. When Lynn retired to Maui after Pat's death, he was instrumental in establishing a soup kitchen for the homeless there. Lynn was an active member of the World Life Committee at John XXIII Parish in Albuquerque, NM. He raised and donated funds to build two mission chapels, a dam, and an irrigation system in Zimbabwe and continued through the years to provide funds for seed and fertilizer to Zimbabwe. Lynn never bragged about his generosity or accomplishments, but instead stressed how the Holy Spirit had worked through him to accomplish these things. Lynn is survived by his son William and daughter-in-law Linda (Locke) Cotterman; his granddaughters Laura Barnes, Sarah Chou, and Allison Cotterman; brother Vance Cotterman; and loving nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his good friend of more than 30 years, Andrea de Voursney. Lynn was preceded in death by his wife Patricia, and his brothers Gene Cotterman and Joseph Cotterman, a pilot who was killed in WWII. It was Lynn's wish that in lieu of flowers, donations be made for the continued support of his beloved St. Robert Mission in Zimbabwe. Those wishing to do so may make checks payable to Andrea de Voursney, in care of Flanner and Buchanan, 105 W. Pine, Zionsville, IN 46077. In the memo line indicate "Fr. Fradereck Chiromba Mission." Visitation will be from 2 to 4 pm on Sunday, October 2, 2011 at Flanner and Buchanan Zionsville Funeral Center, 105 W. Pine. A Mass of the Resurrection will be held at St. Luke Catholic Church, 7575 Holliday Drive East, Indianapolis on Monday, October 3 at 11 am. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens. You are invited to go to the Guest Book page to pass along your personal message or tell a story. Sincerely, -Your friends at Flanner and Buchanan