John Russell Gowdey (1957)

GOWDEY, AYERS, STILES, BARTON, BLUMHART

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler, Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/29/2015 at 11:31:01

Earlham Echo – Earlham, Iowa
July 4, 1957
Dexter News

Services for Russell Gowdey, age 84, who passed away Friday evening at his home were held Monday afternoon at the Dexter Methodist church with Rev. Paul Textor officiating. Mr. Gowdey was a faithful member of the Methodist church and sang in the choir until several months ago when he became ill. He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Carroll Stiles and Della both of Dexter, and two sons, Donald of Dexter and Gale of Hollywood, California, also nine grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Interment in the Spillers cemetery.
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Earlham Echo – Earlham, Iowa
July 4, 1957

John Russell Gowdey was born November 26, 1872 at Morris, Illinois to John and Leah Gowdey, the oldest of nine children. The family moved to Rockwell, Iowa in Cerro Gordo county, and then to Newton where they lived for one year. They moved to the Dexter community in 1881, where Mr. Gowdey had lived since. He lived at the present home since 1907. He graduated from the Dexter Normal School and taught school for five years, before taking up the vocation of farming.

In January of 1900 he was united in marriage to Emily A. Ayers. She preceded him in death in 1920. To this union were born four children: Vera Stiles, Della and Donald of Dexter, and Gale of Los Angeles, California.

Besides his children, he leaves to mourn his death: nine grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. He was especially close to his grandchildren and great grandchildren, who endearingly called him Gramp. Also surviving him are three sisters: Laney Barton of Redfield; Della Gowdey of Springfield, Oregon and Mary Blumhart, of Los Angeles; also two brothers: Louis of Springfield, Oregon and Alec of Whitefish, Washington.

Mr. Gowdey was a devout Christian and a home-loving person. He was always ready to lend a helping hand. He joined the Methodist church in 1915 and has since been an active member. He served on the Official Church Board and was a Sunday School teacher for many years. He was a member of the church choir which was his greatest pleasure. He attended church faithfully until his health failed.

Mr. Gowdey served ten years on the Dexter school board and was town assessor for ten years also. He was a member of the Masonic and star Lodges.

The memorial services was on Monday, July 1st, at 2:00 p.m. in the Methodist church of Dexter. The Rev. Paul Textor was in charge of the last rites. Robert Lawson was the soloist and Mrs. K. M. Chapler, the organist. Interment was in the Spillers cemetery. Roy Evans was funeral director.