Sgt. Kenneth Gowler Dies; Bluford Rites

M-Sgt. Kenneth L. Gowler, 37, of Rubidoux, Calif., a former resident of Jefferson county, died at noon last Thursday at his home, following an apparent heart attack. He retired November 8, 1968 after serving 18 years with the U.S. Army.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Tuesday at the Bluford Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Ross Paratridge officiating. Burial will be in East Hickory Hill cemetery.

The body will lie in state at the Bluford Funeral Home, in Bluford, where friends may call after 5:00 p.m. today.

Mr. Gowler was born November 15, 1931, in Jefferson county, the son of Troy R. and Maude (Kirkpatrick) Gowler.

On June 14, 1955, he was married to Magdalena Forrer, who survives.

Other survivors include his mother, Mrs. Maude Gowler of Bluford; three sons, Freddie, Kenneth Jr., adn Donald, all at home; two daughters, Barbara and Beverley, at home; three brothers, Paul Gowler of Wilmington, Ill., Harold Gowler of Joliet and Walter Dale Gowler of Galesburg; four sisters, Mrs. Velma Wilbanks and Mrs. Beulah McReynolds, both of Belle Rive, Mrs. Alberta Graham of Gary, Ind., and Mrs. Frieds Howell of San Antonio, Tex.

He was preceded in death by his father and one brother, Floyd Gowler.

Mr. Gowler served 8 years in Germany and 18 months in Korea with the U.S. Army.

Source: Mt. Vernon Register-News
Date: Monday, February 10, 1969, page 2
Transcribed and submitted by: Sandy (Whalen) Bauer