Las Vegas Review Journal Oct 7, 2004.
Joseph LeGrand "J.L." Bowler, 95, died Oct. 4, 2004, in Mesquite. He was born Jan. 23, 1909, in Gunlock, Utah, to Francis Joseph and Annie Parthenia Holt Bowler.
On June 20, 1940, he married LaBerta Woodbury in the St. George Temple. They were later divorced. In 1975, he married Sildona Jensen Easton, she passed away May of 1989. On Sept. 29, 1990, he married Anna Scow Hardy in Mesquite.
J.L. grew up in Gunlock, Utah. He graduated from Dixie High School and later attended Dixie College, where he was student body president, participated in debate and played the violin. He owned and operated the post office and the store in Gunlock. In 1946, he moved his family to Mesquite. He opened the J.L. Bowler Department Store, which he operated for 40 years and was famous for "Bowler cheese". He served as a bishop for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and on the High Council. J.L. loved Mesquite. He became involved in many community affairs, lending his vision and energy to making Mesquite a better place. He was involved in the Lion's Club, Chamber of Commerce, Town board, Water board, he served as a fireman and as the Justice of the Peace. He served on the hospital board and Dixie College Board in St. George. As Mesquite matured, he was involved in the beautification of Mesquite, spearheading the Mesquite Arboretum. He was honored for his years of service with the naming of the J.L. Bowler Elementary school in Bunkerville.
Survivors include his wife, Anna of Mesquite; his children with his first wife, LaBerta Altermatt of Toquerville, Utah, Joseph L. Jr. (Dixie) of Bunkerville, Ruth McCormick of Lake St. Louise, Miss., Tanya (David) Weir of Denver, Annilee (Douglas) Plocher of Spring Creek and John (Shannon) of Gilbert, Ariz.; stepchildren with Sildona Jensen Easton, Linda Barnum of St. George, Utah, McClain (deceased) and Michael J. (Nancy) Easton of Salt Lake City; stepchildren with Anna Scow Hardy, Ronald (Venita) Hardy of Farmington, N.M., Annette Threlkeld of Seattle, Kathy (Jack) Faught of Bunkerville and Thenelda (deceased); 45 grandchildren; more than 53 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; two sisters, Wanda McAllister of Las Vegas and Maxine (John) Lindsay of St. George, Utah; and two sisters-in-law, Laura Bowler and Ethelyn Bowler, both of St. George, Utah. He was preceded in death by eight brothers and sisters.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, at the Mesquite LDS Stake Center, on Arrowhead Lane. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8, at the Mesquite LDS Stake Center and again from 9-10:30 a.m. prior to services at the Stake Center. Interment will be in the Mesquite City Cemetery under the direction of Virgin Valley Mortuary.