Robert C. Bowen, 76, of Ripley, NY, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 after a long courageous battle with M.S. He was born
in Ripley, NY on September 19, 1935 to the late Clement and Millie (Welden) Bowen. Robert graduated from Westfield Academy School in 1953 and started working for Westfield's Loblaws Grocery Store which later became Bells Super Market. 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. 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 7th 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 of 51 years, Norma (Shields) Bowen whom he married on July 1, 1961;
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Robert C. Bowen
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 Kailyn 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 Bowen; 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, NY on Saturday, July 7, 2012 at 11 a.m. and may
call at the Mathews Funeral Home, 104 West Main St., Ripley, NY 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, NY or the Ripley Hose Company, 11 South State
St. in Ripley, NY.
