In Memory Of
Bernard Ernest Bower
1934
2023
Bernard Ernest Bower
October 2, 1934 — September 6, 2023
Bernard Ernest Bower, 88, of Topeka, passed away Wednesday, September 6, 2023.
He was born October 2, 1934, in Saint Mary, Kansas, the son of William and Mary (Beseau) Bower. Bernie grew up on a dairy farm just east of Topeka on the Simonton Farm where he was cared for and fostered by the Simonton family. He attended Highland Park Junior and Senior High School. He served for a short time in the Navy.
Bernie married Dorothy Irene Montgomery on April 26, 1956. They had two sons, Ernest and James. They lived in Joplin, MO for a while and he worked at Pickle King in Missouri. When the kids were younger, the family bought a small farm in Big Springs. He would teach his boys everything he knew about farming.
He also worked at Sehmor's Food and Steel Fixtures MFC. He coached the girls soft ball team at Highland Park High School and drove a school bus for Shawnee Heights school district. Bernie worked at the Kansas Correctional Institution on Rice road until he retired.
Bernie was a member of the American Legion and a member of the Moose Lodge for over 50 years. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, hunting and going camping. He was apart of the NCHA. Dorothy and Bernie had a passion for traveling and were able to see a lot of the country throughout their lifetime. He attended services at Central Park Christian Church.
He had a heart of gold and would help anyone. Bernie had an eye for antiques and enjoyed collecting them over the years. He donated items to museums in Abilene, Alma, Lecompton and the Kansas Museum of History.
Survivors include his children, Ernest (Melinda) Bower and James (Dawnda) Bower; grandchildren, Jeremiah (Justine), Timothy, Darrin (Anna), Brandon, Bryson (Shannon) and Chelsea; four great grandchildren; siblings, Janet Reser, Genevieve Collins and Cecil Simonton. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Irene Bower; granddaughter, Tiffany; siblings,Pauline Day, Clara Reser, Mary Ann Pusch, Marguerite Mongold, Robert Bower, Marcella Hansroth, Billy Joe Bower; his parents, William Samuel and Mary Ann Bower; his foster parents, Berl and Edith Simonton.
A visitation will be held at Parker Price Funeral Home on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 from 5:00pm-7:00pm. A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at Highland Heights Christian Church. He will be laid to rest at Zion Cemetery with his wife, Dorothy. Memorial contributions can be made to Shriner's Hospital Travel Fund, 1305 S. Kansas Ave. Topeka, KS 66612.
To share a memory of Bernard or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.
He was born October 2, 1934, in Saint Mary, Kansas, the son of William and Mary (Beseau) Bower. Bernie grew up on a dairy farm just east of Topeka on the Simonton Farm where he was cared for and fostered by the Simonton family. He attended Highland Park Junior and Senior High School. He served for a short time in the Navy.
Bernie married Dorothy Irene Montgomery on April 26, 1956. They had two sons, Ernest and James. They lived in Joplin, MO for a while and he worked at Pickle King in Missouri. When the kids were younger, the family bought a small farm in Big Springs. He would teach his boys everything he knew about farming.
He also worked at Sehmor's Food and Steel Fixtures MFC. He coached the girls soft ball team at Highland Park High School and drove a school bus for Shawnee Heights school district. Bernie worked at the Kansas Correctional Institution on Rice road until he retired.
Bernie was a member of the American Legion and a member of the Moose Lodge for over 50 years. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, hunting and going camping. He was apart of the NCHA. Dorothy and Bernie had a passion for traveling and were able to see a lot of the country throughout their lifetime. He attended services at Central Park Christian Church.
He had a heart of gold and would help anyone. Bernie had an eye for antiques and enjoyed collecting them over the years. He donated items to museums in Abilene, Alma, Lecompton and the Kansas Museum of History.
Survivors include his children, Ernest (Melinda) Bower and James (Dawnda) Bower; grandchildren, Jeremiah (Justine), Timothy, Darrin (Anna), Brandon, Bryson (Shannon) and Chelsea; four great grandchildren; siblings, Janet Reser, Genevieve Collins and Cecil Simonton. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Irene Bower; granddaughter, Tiffany; siblings,Pauline Day, Clara Reser, Mary Ann Pusch, Marguerite Mongold, Robert Bower, Marcella Hansroth, Billy Joe Bower; his parents, William Samuel and Mary Ann Bower; his foster parents, Berl and Edith Simonton.
A visitation will be held at Parker Price Funeral Home on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 from 5:00pm-7:00pm. A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at Highland Heights Christian Church. He will be laid to rest at Zion Cemetery with his wife, Dorothy. Memorial contributions can be made to Shriner's Hospital Travel Fund, 1305 S. Kansas Ave. Topeka, KS 66612.
To share a memory of Bernard or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Bernard Ernest Bower, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
5:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)
Parker-Price & Davidson
Service
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)
Highland Heights
Guestbook
Visits: 4
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