John E. Bowers

John E. Bowers, 82, of Independence, Missouri, passed away on December 24, 2012 at home. Memorial services will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday, December 29th at Chapel Hill-Butler Funeral Home, 701 N. 94th St., KCK, with visitation time from noon-1:00 preceding the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in honor of John’s wife and daughter.

John was born September 14, 1930 in Kansas City, Kansas to Benjamin Franklin and Libenia (Kidwell) Bowers. He grew up in the Kansas City area and joined the Marines during the Korean War. John married the love of his life, Mary Lou Becker on January 31, 1959. He worked for the Shippers Car Line as a car repairman and union member for over thirty years, retiring in 1994. He enjoyed watching all sorts of sports, from football and wrestling to basketball and auto racing; he also enjoyed listening to the radio and arguing politics. John was a reluctant camper; he mostly went because Mary Lou strongly encouraged it. He was a great family man and enjoyed taking his family out to eat at restaurants like the Cracker Barrel.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Mary Lou Bowers, his daughter Michelle Keating, sister Martha Easterday, brothers Earl and Ben Bowers, Jr.

John is survived by his children, Diana Christenson and husband Randy, Donna Arneson and husband Phil, Steve Bowers and wife Sharon, Lisa Webber and husband Tony; grandchildren Randy Christenson, Jr. and wife Dominique, Jenaye Aldridge and husband Corey, Annah Webber, Kenny Keating and wife Tiffany; great-grandchildren, Madyson and Allyson Keating and Isabella Christenson.

Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.chapelhill-butler.com, as arrangements are under the direction of Chapel Hill-Butler Funeral Home, 701 N. 94th St., KCK.