George Franklin FOWLER

8 NOV 1927 - 2 APR 2009

• BIRTH: 8 NOV 1927, Fort Wayne, Allen County, IN
• DEATH: 2 APR 2009, Mishawaka, St Joseph, IN

• MARRIAGE: 15 MAR 1952, St Joseph County, Indiana

1. +George Mark FOWLER

INDEX

[N30418] George Franklin Fowler

Birth 8 Nov 1927
Fort Wayne, Allen County, IN

Death 2 Apr 2009 (aged 81)
Mishawaka, St. Joseph County, IN

Burial
Grace Lawn Cemetery
Middlebury, Elkhart County, IN
Memorial ID 35524010

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George Franklin Fowler Nov. 8, 1927- April 2, 2009

MISHAWAKA- In the presence of his family on Thursday April 2, 2009 George Fowler went home to be with his Lord. Born November 8, 1927, in Fort Wayne, Indiana to Clifford and Marjory (Brittson) Fowler, George was a long time resident of Mishawaka and spent the last few years living in Middlebury. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Virginia (Fowler) Goheen, and a grandson, Jonathan Ryan Brim. George spent most of his life residing in Mishawaka where he graduated from Mishawaka High School in 1946, met his future wife Dorothy Crutchfield in 1951, and was to become a devoted father to eight children, all of whom survive him. After graduating from high school, George joined the Army and served in post-World War II Japan until his discharge in 1948. George spent most of his married life working forBendix in South Bend with short stints at Wheelabrator, and Adams Tool & Die among others.
The three greatest loves in George's life were Jesus Christ, his wife, and his family. His work in the church as a teacher and organizer, in addition to the many years as a volunteer, speaker, and supporter for Gideon International only begin to touch the relationship he had with his Lord. He was a life-long member of the Nazarene Church having attended South Side in Mishawaka, First Church of the Nazarene in South Bend and most recently the Shipshewana Church of the Nazarene. Having played football at Mishawaka High School and seeing most of his children excel at high school sports, he was an avid supporter of the Mishawaka sports programs. He could always be found sitting in his season ticket seat cheering for the players when they won and blaming the coaching when they lost. Not being one to sit around and watch time go by, George along with Dorothy and various other members of his family made multiple trips to the American Southwest to work in remote areas improving the living conditions of people less fortunate than he. Even in retirement George could be found in Malawi, Africa, assisting his daughter, Laura who along with her husband, Wes ran a mission school for African students who were pursuing their college degrees. He could be seen laying brick, painting and doing anything else asked of him. His work for the Gideons took him to South America where he was involved with Bible distribution in the jails, schools and streets of Peru. As a guest speaker he was invited to churches throughout Saint Joseph and Elkhart counties. In addition to his loving wife, Dorothy, George is survived by his eight children: Daniel (Jennifer) Fowler, Stephen (Tara) Fowler, Rebecca (John) Brim, Martha (Dale) Lenderts, Mary (Charles) Durazo, Laura (Wesley) Sampson, Mark (Mandy) Fowler, Paul (Erika) Fowler, 19 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and a brother, David (Carol) Fowler. Visitation is scheduled from 2 - 4 and 6 - 8 PM today at the Miller-Stewart Funeral Home 1003 South Main Street Middlebury, IN, and from 1 hour prior to the 2:00 PM funeral service on Sunday April 5, 2009 at the Shipshewana Church of the Nazarene, 2695 N 900 W Shipshewana, IN. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Andy Dayton. Memorial contributions in memory of George may be given to Care at Home Hospice of General Hospital, 200 High Park Avenue Goshen, IN. 46526 or Gideons International, PO Box 674 Elkhart, IN. 46515. Burial will take place in Grace Lawn Cemetery, Middlebury with military graveside honors.