John J. Bowers

John 'Jerry' J. Bowers, 77, of Toddville, died at home surrounded by his family on Saturday, February 28, 2015. Memorial services will be held at a later date. Survivors include his wife, Gail; his children, Aaron (Tana Field) Bowers, Kristine (Randy) Croft, Andrew (Lisa) Bowers, Angel (Cameron) Walker, and Amanda (William Sorensen) Bowers; sister, Donna Thomas; four grandchildren; and three great grandchildren. Jerry was born April 5, 1937, in Iowa City, the son of John Henry and Grace Agusta (Buchholtz) Bowers. He served for a time in the Iowa National Guard and then farmed in the Fayette County area. He then moved to Tacoma, Washington with his brother, Robert to work for Boeing. On June 4, 1960, he married Gail Hidenrick. Moving back to Iowa, Jerry worked for Weyerhauser Box Factory and McBurney Well Drilling before beginning a career at Midland Forge that spanned 35 years. He was a lifelong member of the Machinist Union Local 831, where he served as a shop steward, the shop president, and a board member. Above all, Jerry was the best father in the world and he will be greatly missed. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Robert H. Bowers; in-laws, Harry and Edna Hidenrick; and brothers-in-law, Eric and Peter Hidenrick.