Norman Oscar Rowley, a former resident of Port Huron, passed away quietly and peacefully on Saturday, November 15, 2008 at his home in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan with Elva, his loving wife of 66 years, by his side. The family had promised that he would never have to stay in a nursing home and his wishes were honored. He was 90 years old having been born on January 5, 1918.
He and his wife Elva T. (Sass) Rowley, were married on January 30, 1942 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Port Huron.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Mary Jane (Tarzwell) Rowley and all five of his brothers and sisters.
He was a veteran of the United States Army's 125th Infantry, 32nd "Red Arrow" Division during World War II rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant.
Norman owned several businesses over the years including Rowley Farm Implement Sales in Port Huron in the 1950s.
He also was a proud UAW member and worked for General Motors for over 40 years.
His talents and interests were many and varied. He was a proud organizer and co-founder, along with his only son David, of the Tenth Michigan Infantry Civil War Reenactors (www.tenthmichiganinfantry.com) playing a vital and active role from 1976 to 2007. He participated in over 350 Civil War programs of all types including battle reenactments, living history events, parades, school programs and Memorial Day services. His first person presentation was video taped for use by the Chicago Public School system.
Norman's loyalty to the flag and his country was unfaltering. He actually knew several Civil War Veterans when he was a boy and committed himself to honoring their memory and service. His ancestors included some 28 family members who served in the Federal Army during the Civil War.
In 1972, Norman was instrumental in assisting to organize the Clyde Twp. Babe Ruth baseball program. He coached the Clyde Township team from 1973 to 1976. The team was Consolidated Townships League Champions in 1974.
Norman was also an avid deer hunter having never missed an opening day in over 60 years. This year, unable to go himself, he sent his beloved 30-30 Winchester rifle with his son David so that the rifle's opening day tradition was not broken.
Survivors include his loving wife Elva (Sass) Rowley and only son David S. Rowley; daughter-in-law, Renee (Jeffery) Rowley; twin grandsons, Thomas and David Rowley; step-grandchildren, Christopher and Meghan Shields; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
The immediate family wishes to express a special thank you to Norman's niece, Mary Jane (Rowley) Whitican for her unfaltering loyalty, love, laughter and support for Norman through out the years.
Members of the Tenth Michigan Infantry, in Civil War uniform, will serve as pallbearers. In keeping with Norman's wishes, all Federal and Confederate reenactors are invited and welcome to attend his funeral in period uniform.
Visitation for Norman will be on Wednesday November 19, 2008 at Smith Funeral Home - North Chapel, 1525 Hancock Street, Port Huron. The time is from 2 to 5 & 7 to 9 PM.
The funeral service will take place on Thursday November 20, 2008 at 11 a.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church, corner of Sixth and Wall Streets in Port Huron with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. in church.
He leaves us with this final thought spoken when family members had concluded a visit. "Good-bye for now. If I don't get to see you again here, I will see you in heaven."
He and his wife Elva T. (Sass) Rowley, were married on January 30, 1942 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Port Huron.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Mary Jane (Tarzwell) Rowley and all five of his brothers and sisters.
He was a veteran of the United States Army's 125th Infantry, 32nd "Red Arrow" Division during World War II rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant.
Norman owned several businesses over the years including Rowley Farm Implement Sales in Port Huron in the 1950s.
He also was a proud UAW member and worked for General Motors for over 40 years.
His talents and interests were many and varied. He was a proud organizer and co-founder, along with his only son David, of the Tenth Michigan Infantry Civil War Reenactors (www.tenthmichiganinfantry.com) playing a vital and active role from 1976 to 2007. He participated in over 350 Civil War programs of all types including battle reenactments, living history events, parades, school programs and Memorial Day services. His first person presentation was video taped for use by the Chicago Public School system.
Norman's loyalty to the flag and his country was unfaltering. He actually knew several Civil War Veterans when he was a boy and committed himself to honoring their memory and service. His ancestors included some 28 family members who served in the Federal Army during the Civil War.
In 1972, Norman was instrumental in assisting to organize the Clyde Twp. Babe Ruth baseball program. He coached the Clyde Township team from 1973 to 1976. The team was Consolidated Townships League Champions in 1974.
Norman was also an avid deer hunter having never missed an opening day in over 60 years. This year, unable to go himself, he sent his beloved 30-30 Winchester rifle with his son David so that the rifle's opening day tradition was not broken.
Survivors include his loving wife Elva (Sass) Rowley and only son David S. Rowley; daughter-in-law, Renee (Jeffery) Rowley; twin grandsons, Thomas and David Rowley; step-grandchildren, Christopher and Meghan Shields; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
The immediate family wishes to express a special thank you to Norman's niece, Mary Jane (Rowley) Whitican for her unfaltering loyalty, love, laughter and support for Norman through out the years.
Members of the Tenth Michigan Infantry, in Civil War uniform, will serve as pallbearers. In keeping with Norman's wishes, all Federal and Confederate reenactors are invited and welcome to attend his funeral in period uniform.
Visitation for Norman will be on Wednesday November 19, 2008 at Smith Funeral Home - North Chapel, 1525 Hancock Street, Port Huron. The time is from 2 to 5 & 7 to 9 PM.
The funeral service will take place on Thursday November 20, 2008 at 11 a.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church, corner of Sixth and Wall Streets in Port Huron with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. in church.
He leaves us with this final thought spoken when family members had concluded a visit. "Good-bye for now. If I don't get to see you again here, I will see you in heaven."
Norman Oscar Rowley, a former resident of Port Huron, passed away quietly and peacefully on Saturday, November 15, 2008 at his home in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan with Elva, his loving wife of 66 years, by his side. The family had promised that he would never have to stay in a nursing home and his wishes were honored. He was 90 years old having been born on January 5, 1918.
He and his wife Elva T. (Sass) Rowley, were married on January 30, 1942 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Port Huron.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Mary Jane (Tarzwell) Rowley and all five of his brothers and sisters.
He was a veteran of the United States Army's 125th Infantry, 32nd "Red Arrow" Division during World War II rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant.
Norman owned several businesses over the years including Rowley Farm Implement Sales in Port Huron in the 1950s.
He also was a proud UAW member and worked for General Motors for over 40 years.
His talents and interests were many and varied. He was a proud organizer and co-founder, along with his only son David, of the Tenth Michigan Infantry Civil War Reenactors (www.tenthmichiganinfantry.com) playing a vital and active role from 1976 to 2007. He participated in over 350 Civil War programs of all types including battle reenactments, living history events, parades, school programs and Memorial Day services. His first person presentation was video taped for use by the Chicago Public School system.
Norman's loyalty to the flag and his country was unfaltering. He actually knew several Civil War Veterans when he was a boy and committed himself to honoring their memory and service. His ancestors included some 28 family members who served in the Federal Army during the Civil War.
In 1972, Norman was instrumental in assisting to organize the Clyde Twp. Babe Ruth baseball program. He coached the Clyde Township team from 1973 to 1976. The team was Consolidated Townships League Champions in 1974.
Norman was also an avid deer hunter having never missed an opening day in over 60 years. This year, unable to go himself, he sent his beloved 30-30 Winchester rifle with his son David so that the rifle's opening day tradition was not broken.
Survivors include his loving wife Elva (Sass) Rowley and only son David S. Rowley; daughter-in-law, Renee (Jeffery) Rowley; twin grandsons, Thomas and David Rowley; step-grandchildren, Christopher and Meghan Shields; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
The immediate family wishes to express a special thank you to Norman's niece, Mary Jane (Rowley) Whitican for her unfaltering loyalty, love, laughter and support for Norman through out the years.
Members of the Tenth Michigan Infantry, in Civil War uniform, will serve as pallbearers. In keeping with Norman's wishes, all Federal and Confederate reenactors are invited and welcome to attend his funeral in period uniform.
Visitation for Norman will be on Wednesday November 19, 2008 at Smith Funeral Home - North Chapel, 1525 Hancock Street, Port Huron. The time is from 2 to 5 & 7 to 9 PM.
The funeral service will take place on Thursday November 20, 2008 at 11 a.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church, corner of Sixth and Wall Streets in Port Huron with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. in church.
He leaves us with this final thought spoken when family members had concluded a visit. "Good-bye for now. If I don't get to see you again here, I will see you in heaven."
He and his wife Elva T. (Sass) Rowley, were married on January 30, 1942 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Port Huron.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Mary Jane (Tarzwell) Rowley and all five of his brothers and sisters.
He was a veteran of the United States Army's 125th Infantry, 32nd "Red Arrow" Division during World War II rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant.
Norman owned several businesses over the years including Rowley Farm Implement Sales in Port Huron in the 1950s.
He also was a proud UAW member and worked for General Motors for over 40 years.
His talents and interests were many and varied. He was a proud organizer and co-founder, along with his only son David, of the Tenth Michigan Infantry Civil War Reenactors (www.tenthmichiganinfantry.com) playing a vital and active role from 1976 to 2007. He participated in over 350 Civil War programs of all types including battle reenactments, living history events, parades, school programs and Memorial Day services. His first person presentation was video taped for use by the Chicago Public School system.
Norman's loyalty to the flag and his country was unfaltering. He actually knew several Civil War Veterans when he was a boy and committed himself to honoring their memory and service. His ancestors included some 28 family members who served in the Federal Army during the Civil War.
In 1972, Norman was instrumental in assisting to organize the Clyde Twp. Babe Ruth baseball program. He coached the Clyde Township team from 1973 to 1976. The team was Consolidated Townships League Champions in 1974.
Norman was also an avid deer hunter having never missed an opening day in over 60 years. This year, unable to go himself, he sent his beloved 30-30 Winchester rifle with his son David so that the rifle's opening day tradition was not broken.
Survivors include his loving wife Elva (Sass) Rowley and only son David S. Rowley; daughter-in-law, Renee (Jeffery) Rowley; twin grandsons, Thomas and David Rowley; step-grandchildren, Christopher and Meghan Shields; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
The immediate family wishes to express a special thank you to Norman's niece, Mary Jane (Rowley) Whitican for her unfaltering loyalty, love, laughter and support for Norman through out the years.
Members of the Tenth Michigan Infantry, in Civil War uniform, will serve as pallbearers. In keeping with Norman's wishes, all Federal and Confederate reenactors are invited and welcome to attend his funeral in period uniform.
Visitation for Norman will be on Wednesday November 19, 2008 at Smith Funeral Home - North Chapel, 1525 Hancock Street, Port Huron. The time is from 2 to 5 & 7 to 9 PM.
The funeral service will take place on Thursday November 20, 2008 at 11 a.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church, corner of Sixth and Wall Streets in Port Huron with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. in church.
He leaves us with this final thought spoken when family members had concluded a visit. "Good-bye for now. If I don't get to see you again here, I will see you in heaven."
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
