John J. “Jack” Bowers, 87, of Wurtemburg Heights, Ellwood City, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Thursday morning, Jan. 14, 2016 in UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh.
He was born in Muddy Creek Township on Aug. 3, 1928 to the late John C. Bowers and the late Blanche McCartney Bowers. Jack graduated from Zelienople High School in the class of 1946 and attended Geneva College. He served in the U.S. Army in Japan from 1946-48 and was recalled in 1950-51. He was a longtime member of Slippery Rock Presbyterian Church, where he had served as both a deacon and an elder.
While in high school, he worked at the Kaufman Hotel in Zelienople and later worked at U.S. Steel, Rexnord, Koppers, Henny Penny, and retired from Alcoa, after which he worked at Manheim Auto Auction. Jack also served as Perry Township Supervisor for eight years and belonged to the Wurtemburg Perry Fire Department.
Jack enjoyed dancing, camping and taking his grandchildren on vacations. He was a member of National Campers and RVers and served, at one time, as a District Director and was also a founding member of the Pine Hill Pioneers Camping Club and served as its president. He was a former member of the Town and Country Square Dance Club and served as its president and was also a member and past president of the Four Seasons Dance Club, as well as a member of F&AM #599 Ellwood Lodge and the VFW.
Jack was a devoted husband, married for 63 years to Helen Conte Bowers, who survives. He was a caring and loving father to his daughter and son-in-law, Deborah (and Frank) Gonzalez of Manassas, Va. He is also survived by three grandchildren, who were the joy of his life, Michael Gonzalez of Catlett, Va. and Marissa and Marcus Gonzalez of Manassas, Va., as well as two sisters, Betty Lou Fischer of Lenoir City, Tenn. and Vernabelle (and Jack) Moffatt of Harmony, a brother-in-law, Louis Conte, of Ellwood City, and many nieces and nephews. He also leaves his canine companion, Missy.
In addition to his parents, Jack was preceded in death by one son, J. Brian Bowers, who died Aug. 16, 1995, as well as two infants at birth, his brothers Harold, Robert, and Kenneth, his sister, Beverly, his brother-in-law Robert Fischer, and his sister-in-law, Sally Conte.
Friends will be received from 2 p.m. until the time of service at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016 at Slippery Rock Presbyterian Church, 258 Slippery Rock Drive, Ellwood City, PA 16117, with his pastor, Rev. Julia Williamson, officiating.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Tuner Funeral Home of Ellwood City, Sixth Street at Park Avenue.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made, in Jack’s name, to the Slippery Rock Presbyterian Church.
You may view the obituary, sign the guestbook, and send condolences online at www.turnerfh.com.
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