Ralph H. Bower, 90, of Goshen, died Friday evening, March 17, 2006, at Greencroft Healthcare.
He was born January 20, 1916, in Benton County, Indiana, to Frank W. and Lula (Hawkins) Bower. On April 16, 1941, he married Mariellen Baldwin. She died April 27, 1979. On October 14, 1982 he married Phyllis Ackerson. She survives.
A 1934 graduate of Fowler High School, Mr. Bower was co-owner of the Bower Manufacturing Company, Inc. until the company was sold to Goshen Rubber in 1985. He attended Northwestern University and was named Goshen's Historian of the Year in 2000.
His interests included aviation, book collecting, skin diving, local history and wood carving.
He is survived by his wife; a daughter, Jan (Ed Dovey) Leslie of Elkhart, Indiana; a son, Joel H. Bower of South Bend, Indiana; a step-daughter, Nina Newburn of Goshen, Indiana; and a step-son, Scott Ackerson of Bloomington, Indiana; a grandchild, three great-grandchildren, and three step-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his first wife; two sons, Anton and Brent Bower; and a brother, Gerald F. Bower.
The body will be cremated and a private memorial service will be held at a later date.
Burial will be in Violett Cemetery, Goshen.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Goshen Public Library or to the Donor's Choice.
He was born January 20, 1916, in Benton County, Indiana, to Frank W. and Lula (Hawkins) Bower. On April 16, 1941, he married Mariellen Baldwin. She died April 27, 1979. On October 14, 1982 he married Phyllis Ackerson. She survives.
A 1934 graduate of Fowler High School, Mr. Bower was co-owner of the Bower Manufacturing Company, Inc. until the company was sold to Goshen Rubber in 1985. He attended Northwestern University and was named Goshen's Historian of the Year in 2000.
His interests included aviation, book collecting, skin diving, local history and wood carving.
He is survived by his wife; a daughter, Jan (Ed Dovey) Leslie of Elkhart, Indiana; a son, Joel H. Bower of South Bend, Indiana; a step-daughter, Nina Newburn of Goshen, Indiana; and a step-son, Scott Ackerson of Bloomington, Indiana; a grandchild, three great-grandchildren, and three step-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his first wife; two sons, Anton and Brent Bower; and a brother, Gerald F. Bower.
The body will be cremated and a private memorial service will be held at a later date.
Burial will be in Violett Cemetery, Goshen.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Goshen Public Library or to the Donor's Choice.
Ralph H. Bower, 90, of Goshen, died Friday evening, March 17, 2006, at Greencroft Healthcare.
He was born January 20, 1916, in Benton County, Indiana, to Frank W. and Lula (Hawkins) Bower. On April 16, 1941, he married Mariellen Baldwin. She died April 27, 1979. On October 14, 1982 he married Phyllis Ackerson. She survives.
A 1934 graduate of Fowler High School, Mr. Bower was co-owner of the Bower Manufacturing Company, Inc. until the company was sold to Goshen Rubber in 1985. He attended Northwestern University and was named Goshen's Historian of the Year in 2000.
His interests included aviation, book collecting, skin diving, local history and wood carving.
He is survived by his wife; a daughter, Jan (Ed Dovey) Leslie of Elkhart, Indiana; a son, Joel H. Bower of South Bend, Indiana; a step-daughter, Nina Newburn of Goshen, Indiana; and a step-son, Scott Ackerson of Bloomington, Indiana; a grandchild, three great-grandchildren, and three step-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his first wife; two sons, Anton and Brent Bower; and a brother, Gerald F. Bower.
The body will be cremated and a private memorial service will be held at a later date.
Burial will be in Violett Cemetery, Goshen.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Goshen Public Library or to the Donor's Choice.
He was born January 20, 1916, in Benton County, Indiana, to Frank W. and Lula (Hawkins) Bower. On April 16, 1941, he married Mariellen Baldwin. She died April 27, 1979. On October 14, 1982 he married Phyllis Ackerson. She survives.
A 1934 graduate of Fowler High School, Mr. Bower was co-owner of the Bower Manufacturing Company, Inc. until the company was sold to Goshen Rubber in 1985. He attended Northwestern University and was named Goshen's Historian of the Year in 2000.
His interests included aviation, book collecting, skin diving, local history and wood carving.
He is survived by his wife; a daughter, Jan (Ed Dovey) Leslie of Elkhart, Indiana; a son, Joel H. Bower of South Bend, Indiana; a step-daughter, Nina Newburn of Goshen, Indiana; and a step-son, Scott Ackerson of Bloomington, Indiana; a grandchild, three great-grandchildren, and three step-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his first wife; two sons, Anton and Brent Bower; and a brother, Gerald F. Bower.
The body will be cremated and a private memorial service will be held at a later date.
Burial will be in Violett Cemetery, Goshen.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Goshen Public Library or to the Donor's Choice.
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