O Merle Bowers Obituary (1925 - 2013)

O. Merle Bowers, 87, of Forsyth, IL passed away on Saturday (Jan. 12, 2013) at Decatur Memorial Hospital. A memorial service to celebrate Merle's life will be held at 12:00 p.m. Friday (Jan. 18, 2013) at Dawson & Wikoff North Chapel. Visitation will be one hour prior to services on Friday. Burial will be in Bethel Cemetery, rural Blue Mound, IL. Memorial contributions may be directed to Friends of WILL or Morningside Chapel. Mr. Bowers was born on December 1, 1925 in Cerro Gordo, IL, the son of Oliver and Ada (Merris) Bowers. He was a farmer and a distributor for Watkins Products. He retired as a salesman for American Home Products. Merle was a member of Morningside Chapel, Golden K, Forsyth Village Board and was an advocate for the Farm Progress Show. He loved gardening and listening to classical music. Merle married Elizabeth Cunningham on September 4, 1948. She preceded him in death in 1994. He later married Lou B. Brian on June 16 1997. Surviving is his wife: Lou B. Bowers of Forsyth, IL; daughter: Carol (Bob) Pritts of Decatur, IL; sister: Millie Ashenfelter of Decatur, IL; brothers: Bruce (Sue) Bowers of Carmel, IN, Mike (Joyce) Bowers of Mobile, AL; grandchildren: Robin (Rosan) Pritts of Aurora, IL, Janice (Jim) Stock of Decatur, IL; great grandchildren: Clayton Stock, Austin Stock and Brycen Stock all of Decatur, IL. Merle was preceded in death by his parents, former wife: Elizabeth, sister: Evelyn Williamson. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Fair Havens Christian Home and to the nurses at Decatur Memorial Hospital 4100 for the exceptional care Merle received. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.dawson-wikoff.com.