John Henry Bowers Sr.

John Henry Bowers Sr. of New Port Richey, Fla., formerly of Butler County, died on April 12.

John was born on Dec. 24, 1926, in Braddock, Pa., and was the son of John and Frieda Bowers.

Mr. Bowers grew up in Edgewood, Pa., and graduated in absentia from Edgewood High School in 1944.

Like many of his generation, he enlisted to serve his country during World War II. His parents accepted his diploma while he was in basic training for the U.S. Marine Corps at Parris Island, S.C.

He served in the Pacific Theater and was aboard the USS Pensacola in December 1944 during Typhoon Cobra, which killed nearly 800 men and sank three ships. His ship sustained significant damage during the storm.

After the war, Mr. Bowers worked as a mechanic and truck driver. Later, he was employed by the Atlantic Richfield Company.

After retiring from ARCO, he and his wife of 67 years, Hettie, traveled throughout the United States, Mexico and Canada in their RV.

Mr. Bowers is survived by his wife, Hettie Mathis Bowers; and their five children, John and Cindy Bowers, Becky and Michael Cajka of Butler, Curtis Bowers of Mars, Susan and Jerry Goehring of Clearwater, Fla., and Hettie and Tim Kenny of Charlotte, N.C.

Mr. Bowers was a grandfather of three, Jessica Davis of Jacksonville, Fla., Megan and Chris Lonon of Charlotte, N.C., and Mat and Chelsea Cajka of Butler; and a great-grandfather of three, Bly Davis, Logan Kellum and Laila Kellum, all of Jacksonville, Fla.

BOWERS — A celebration of life service for John Henry Bowers Sr., who died Thursday, April 12, 2018, will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 24, 2018, at First United Methodist Church, 200 E. North St., Butler.Mr. Bowers will be interred at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 25, 2018, in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, 1158 Morgan Road, Bridgeville, with full military honors.The family welcomes any friends or relatives wishing to attend either event.