Ernest D. Bower

Ernest Dean Bower, 94, of Bowerston, passed away on Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at Park Village Health Care Center in Dover after a period of declining health. Born February 5, 1920 in Bowerston, Ernie was a son of the late Robert Mack Clifford and Ethel Grace (Markley) Bower.

Ernie was a lifelong resident of the Bowerston area and a graduate of Bowerston High School in the class of 1938. A self-employed farmer throughout his life, he had also worked for several area businesses including L.J. Smith, Bowerston Shale Company and Conotton Valley Public Schools (as a bus driver from 1965 to 1979). In World War II, Ernie proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during which time he was captured by the enemy and was a prisoner of war in Germany. He maintained his connection with his fellow veterans as a charter and longtime member of Bowerston American Legion Post #581 and as a member of the Disabled American Veterans. Ernie was an active member of the former Conotton United Methodist Church where he was instrumental in organizing their United Methodist Men. He was also a member of the Conotton Valley Senior Citizens for a number of years and had served as a past Monroe Township Trustee.

On August 24, 1940, Ernie married the former Pearl Elaine Cogan with whom he enjoyed nearly 74 years of marriage. He is also survived by sons, David A. Bower and John R. Bower of Bowerston; daughters, Carol E. Kaale of Lexington, Tennessee and Nancy E. (Larry) Coffy of Bowerston; 11 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Don and Francis Bower; a daughter-in-law, Midge Bower; and a great-grandson, Caleb Shreffler.

Services for Ernie, officiated by Pastor Charles Kettering, will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, May 19, in the R.K. Lindsey Funeral Home in Dennison. Interment will follow in Bowerston’s Longview Cemetery with a military committal service. Family and friends are invited to call at the funeral home from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Monday. Those wishing to honor Ernie’s memory by a charitable contribution are encouraged to do so to Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County and the American Diabetes Association.