Paul Gower

Paul Gower Marion-Paul Gower, 84, of Marion, beloved husband, father, brother and grandfather, went home to be with our Lord at 7:00 AM, on Saturday, December 25, 2010 at St. John Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis, MO. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at 11:00 AM at Blue Funeral Home in Marion, IL with the Reverend Kevin McNeely officiating. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at the funeral home from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery. Military Rites will be administered at Blue Funeral Home in Marion immediately following the service. VFW Post 1301, American Legion Post 147 and the National Guard will conduct the ceremony. Memorials may be made to Burns Recovered Support Group, Inc. Envelopes will be available at the service or may be sent c/o Blue Funeral Home, P.O. Box 411, Marion, IL, 62959. Paul was born on December 17, 1926, in Marion, IL to Aud & Pearl (Owens) Gower. Growing up in Marion he worked for several local coal mines. Paul also farmed with his father. He served in the United States Army during World War II. On September 20, 1947 he married the love of his life, Shirley Faulkner, in Piggott, AR. They spent their life together raising their children and numerous grandchildren in Marion. Paul’s family is his legacy, raising and loving three children, six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Survivors include his daughters, Vicki & Marion Barnaby, Paula & late husband Dave Chamberlain, all of Marion; son, Don Gower of Las Vegas, NV; sisters, Dorothy Lloyd of Marion, Maxine & Lester Emery of Crab Orchard, Shirley & Danny Summers of Marion, Linda Clark of Carterville; brother, John & Debra Gower of Marion; grandchildren, Nikki LeMasters, Terra Farris, Andrea & Rob Kurczewski, David & Kate Chamberlain and Aaron Barnaby; great-grandchildren, Gina LeMasters, Mitchel Farris, Skyler Farris, Victoria Chamberlain, Alyssa Chamberlain, Aiden Barnaby, Ava Kurczewski and Blake Kurczewski; several nieces & nephews. Paul was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife, Shirley; beloved grandson, Robbie Chamberlain; brothers, Virgil Gower, Aud Gower & Mick Gower. He was a lifetime member of the United Mine Workers Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. He was of Baptist faith. Paul will be remembered for his great love of working on his land and enjoying watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow and share in his love of the outdoors. He will be sadly missed. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Jeremy Edmonds.