Richard Bower, 85

Richard C. Bower, age 85, of Colon, passed away Thursday, June 8, 2023, at the Sparrow House in Sturgis.

Richard was born on February 3, 1938 in Colon, a son to the late Harold C. and Iola (Stewart) Bower. Richard graduated from Colon High School with the class of 1956.

On February 14, 1959, Richard married his wife of 64 years, Elizabeth Ann VanVoorhees, in Colon, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.

Richard grew up working as a young man in high school at the family service station. Bowers Service Station was founded by Richard’s father Harold Bower, in 1938. Richard worked there as a young man and eventually full time once he completed high school. In 1977 Richard and his brother Dennie, purchased the station from Harold. Richard and Dennie c0-owned the station together for 28 years. Richard worked at Bowers Service Station for a total of 44 years and the station is now owned and operated by his nephew, Keith Bower, and has been in business for 85 years. Richard was a member of the Colon Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department from 1956-1993. He served as Assistant Fire Chief from 1968-1986 and as Fire Chief from 1986-1991. Richard and Elizabeth are also lifelong members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Colon.

Surviving Richard is his wife Elizabeth A. Bower of Colon, Daughter Anne Bower of Kalamazoo, Son David (Katie) Bower of Dewitt, Grandchildren: Kyle Jager of Detroit, Justin (Anna) Jager of Austin, Texas, Trent Bower of Dewitt, and Kelcie Bower of Mason, Great Grandchildren: Jack, Mia, and Lily Jager, Sister-in-Law Mary Beth Bower of Colon, Brother-in-Law Roger Wagner of Colon, and several nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents Harold and Iola Bower, Richard was preceded in death by an infant daughter Cheryl Lynn Bower, Brother Dennie Bower, and Sister Jane Wagner.

The Bower family will receive friends and relatives on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM at the Schipper Funeral Home LTD. in Colon. A funeral service celebrating Richard’s life will be held on Thursday, June 15, 2023, at 11:00 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Colon with Pastor Kurt Kuhlman officiating. Interment will follow in Lakeside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family asks donations be made in Richard’s memory to either St. Paul’s Lutheran Church or the Colon Rescue Squad. Envelopes will be available at both the funeral home and church. Memories and condolences are encouraged to be left for the family at Schipperfuneralhome.com.