Robert C. Bowen, 76 of Ripley, N.Y., passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, June 27, 2012, after a long, courageous battle with MS.
He was born in Ripley, N.Y., on Sept. 19, 1935, to the late Clement and Millie (Welden) Bowen.
Robert graduated from Westfield Academy School in 1953, and started working for the Westfield's Loblaws grocery store, which later became Bells supermarket. He also worked for the Growers Grape Juice Company and on the John Ellis fruit farm until he had to retire in December 1980, due to his disability.
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Robert C. Bowen
Robert was involved in the 4-H club as a leader and also led a state competitive square dance team for the Lombard Grange of which he was a seventh-degree member. He was a parishioner of the First Presbyterian Church of Ripley. Robert had a love for birds, especially cardinals.
Robert is survived by his wife, Norma (Shields) Bowen, whom he married on July 1, 1961; four children: Cheryl (Matthew) Orton, Sheila (Robert) Bentley, Karen Townson and Bob Colbey and his son, James Bowen and Janine Crandall. He is further survived by nine grandchildren: Heather and Jason Orton, Greg, Ryan, Kyle, Kristi, Shane and Kaiyln Bentley and Peter Colbey, as well as three great-grandchildren: Trenton Abbate, Elana and Hannah Bentley. Other survivors include brothers: Calvin (Betty), Dale (Joan) and Herbert (Yolanda) Bowen; sisters: Elna Meleen and Jeanette Davis; sister-in-law, Leona Bentley; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his brother, John Bowen.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral service at the First Presbyterian Church in Ripley, N.Y., on Saturday, July 7, 2012, at 11 a.m., and may call at the Mathews Duneral Home, 104 Main St., Ripley, N.Y., on Friday, July 6, 2012, from 3 to 8 p.m.
Memorials in Robert's memory may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, Box 357, Ripley, N.Y. or the Ripley Hose Company, 11 S. State St., Ripley, N.Y.