Fowler, Ralph V. Sr.

Ralph V. Fowler Sr., 94, of 3090 25th Ave., Marion, died Monday, Jan. 10, 2011, at Mercy Medical Center after a short illness. Services at 11 a.m. Friday at the Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. Burial with military rites at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call at the Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday.

Survivors include two daughters, Audrey (Myron) Wilcox of Cedar Rapids, and Mary (Tom) Long of Marion; four sons, Ralph “Bud' (Teresa) Jr. of Davenport, Dick (Suzette) of California, Jim of Marion, and John of Cedar Rapids; three stepsons, James (Tammy) Loes of Monticello, Donald Loes of Tennessee, and Mark Loes of California; and one sister, Dorothy Hertel of South Amana.

He is also survived by 21 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, 14 great-great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Barry and James; three sisters, Gladys, Mabel and Hazel; a stepdaughter, Susan; one grandchild; two great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Ralph was born Dec. 15, 1916, in Des Moines, the son of Elijah and Gertrude Haley Fowler. He married Marcella “Sally” Holland on Feb. 17, 1937, in Missouri. She died in 1978. He later married Louise E. Loes on April 27, 1979, in Kirksville, Mo. She died in 2007.

Ralph was a supervisor in the machine shop at Tucker Manufacturing for 33 years, retiring in 1983. He was a member of the American Legion, the Eagles Club and proudly served as a medic in the Army during World War II where he received the Purple Heart.

He enjoyed golf, bowling, fishing, playing cribbage, wood working, flirting, watching the Hawkeyes and especially the time he spent with his beloved family.

A memorial fund has been established in Ralph's name.

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