E.J. Bowers

Lansing, Michigan.  Born May 18, 1924 in Potterville, Michigan son of the late Eloan and Ruby Florence Bowers passed away, surrounded by his loving family, on Saturday, February 2, 2013, at age 88.

E.J. served in the U.S. Navy during WWII as an airplane engine mechanic, and had a fulfilling skilled tradesman career as a die sinker at Lansing Drop Forge for over 35 years. He was a member of Masonic Lodge #480, F&AM, serving as Master in 1988, and was a Shriner and active participant with the Capitol Caravan Circus. E.J. volunteered for many years with the American Red Cross, was a member of the Lansing Conservation Club and attended Sycamore Creek Church. He was an avid outdoorsman, especially as a founding member of The Rocking Chair Hunt Club in Northeastern Michigan.

Survivors include his four children, Jacqueline Schraft, John Bowers, James (Vicki) Bowers, and Jeffrey (Patricia) Bowers; seven grandchildren, Nancy, Derek, Michael, Ryan, Brent, Lauren and Brian; five great-grandchildren, Trevor, Tanner, Nathan, Rachel and Kevin along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. E.J. was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Vera Jean Bowers in 2004 and by four siblings, Cecil, Dorothy, Margarite and Henry.

Funeral services will be held at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel on Thursday, February 7, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Tom Arthur officiating. Interment will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Those who wish may make memorial contributions, in E.J.’s memory, to the Shriners Hospital for Children or Hometown Home Health & Hospice.

Print Obituary

11 Messages to “E.J. Bowers

Print Messages
Peggy Porter (niece)
February 3, 2013 at 5:05 pm

Jackie, John, Jim and Jeff — So sorry to hear about your dad’s passing this morning. I hope to be able to come to Lansing for Wednesday visitation or Thursday morning for the funeral — depending on the weather and roads. Praying for you and your family during this sad time.

Reply
Susan Guillaume Burnett
February 4, 2013 at 9:15 am

My thoughts are with you all – Jackie, John, Jim and Jeff. Our Dad passed in 2011 at the age of 91, so I have an idea how you might be feeling. Losing him at such a nice old age – it is still tough being without him. Give each other a hug from me. Best Regards!

Reply
Julie Stauffer
February 4, 2013 at 1:16 pm

To the Bowers family, I knew your Dad through our neighbors Hank(Henry)/Betsy Bowers.

E.J. was always serving at the Masonic Chicken Dinners, and always working hard, but always had time to tease and joke with others. Having such a great sense of humor, he was always making someone laugh.

Like his brother Hank, E.J. was a kind man. I’m grateful to have known him.

With deepest sympathy at this difficult time – Al & Julie Stauffer

Reply
Ginger Susman
February 4, 2013 at 2:13 pm

To the Bowers Family — My sincere condolences. While I didn’t know your father personally I felt I knew him from the wonderful stories Jeff has told me. Jeff, you are a wonderful business partner and friend. Your father’s imprint on the man you are will continue to live on in you and, likewise, your siblings. the four of you were lucky to have such a wonderful set of parents. In this time of great pain for the family I hope you can focus on all the wonderful times you had with your dad while he was alive. Your family is in our hearts and prayers — Ginger & Jeff Susman

Reply
Janet & Jodi Weber
February 4, 2013 at 10:45 pm

Our deepest sympathies for your loss. I will always remember such fun times with my Uncle EJ….a truly lovable man.

Reply
John Dunsmore
February 5, 2013 at 8:29 am

Sorry To hearAbout EJ. I knew cecil two, We were all Die sinkers. I worked at Melling forging Co.

Reply
Scott & Laura Bowers
February 5, 2013 at 1:15 pm

Our love and prayers are with Uncle EJ and Aunt Jean.

Reply
David Bowers
February 5, 2013 at 4:04 pm

I have many many happy memories of family outings and hunting /fishing trips with Uncle E.J. and family. One of our wonderful family Patriarch’s and a source of many of “life’s lessons” for the “Bowers Boys”. EJ’s passing closes the “book” on the the life’s & time’s of Cecil, EJ & Henry Bowers. A fine life and will be missed by all.

Reply
Dave Eigenauer
February 5, 2013 at 8:45 pm

Where do you start…When I read of your Fathers passing in the LSJ, I felt that I had let a friendship escape my life. How many times I have relived experiences with your Mom in Quonsut 105, the MSU DPS, and your Dad with his assistance in the loan of your white single axle trailer when we moved from Flint to Williamston, and knowing you kids. But thoughts do not stop there. I fondly remember your family’s open door policy, and how welcomed we always were, on Hagadorn/M78, or Grandpa Bill Fullers cabin at Indian River on Burt Lake…For you Kid’s-your parents treated us like their own. I (we kids) learned how to waterski from your Dad, spent lot’s of time (hopefully not too much) enjoying your Grandpa Bill’s place, and having Bill and EJ show us about Big Lake fishing. The first snowmobile experience I had was on your Scorpion (440 cc- I think) snow machine where I hit 65 mph across Burt Lake. Scared the hell outta me…That stuff being tame now, I reflect on your Mom and Dad’s generocity, and how much it was appreciated by my family. I remember your Dad talking about taking an old TV set that worked, taking it completely apart, re-assembling it, to see if it would work again…His inquisitive logic was captivating. He gave me an old short-wave radio, a McMurdo Masterpiece Three, that I used for many years in HS to listen to stations around the world. I later became (still am)an Amateur Radio Operator(Ham), Master Electrician, Electrical Contractor,Police Officer, and retired as an IAFF Local 370 Union Fire Captain from the city of Muskegon. I would like to make this radio available to your family, along with one of the “wire” designed and fabricated tree’s your Mom made for me. In addition, I have the Ping-pong table your Dad made, that my kids/friends are using on a very regular basis.
To conclude, we always seem to regret what has been lost-after it’s gone. Both your folks treated me like one of you. I am sorry I was not able to keep in touch with them…My, and the Eigenauer Family’s-most sincere thanks for having the privilage of knowing Jean and EJ, and Bill, and to the generosity your family extended to all of us. Our heartfelt condolances and fond thoughts are with all of you. Dave Eigenauer Norton Shores, Michigan

Reply
Betsy Bowers
February 6, 2013 at 10:52 pm

Well, this is my fourth attempt to send a condolence to the EJ Bowers family. Will see if this one makes it. Now, after being at the visitation tonight at Estes Leadley, I am all the more grateful for all the happy memories we have of our lives being close to Jean and EJ and their family. Looking around at all the family members there this eveing……….wow………what a great bunch. And a gang to be proud of. Hank and I and our three boys have such happy memories of camping trips together, weddings, new babies, other important events in the lives of the Bowers Clan. Like Bob Hope always said, “Thanks for the memories”. We have been thru “thick and thin” with this wonderful bunch of Bowerses and God Bless em all. Thanks for sharing your lives with us. Betsy, Hank, David, Mike, Scott and their families.

Reply
James McFarland
February 7, 2013 at 8:20 am

John, Jeff, Jim, Jackie and family:

Like John said to me, “he had a real good run at it”, and he did. I grew up hanging out with the Bowers family. I remember hamburgers with Jean’s steamed burger buns, and EJ’s shop in the garage. And the fire pit when they were still legal. I still see that house out near a friend’s house in the Haslett area.

EJ was a real good father to you all, but also to me. He showed me what I could do with hunting, fishing, scuba, skiing. He did an awful lot for me, by including me in his family. He made a real contribution to my growth as a person, and my self confidence. I appreciate his life, and am proud to have known such a caring human being. It was fun and meaningful to be part of this family.

James McFarland

Reply

Please Sign The Guestbook

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *