Obituary of Gerald Sowder

Bedford Our loving father, Gerald Sowder, 97, of 367 Sowders Road, Bedford, passed away at 3:30 pm on Thursday, September 18, 2008 at the Dunn Memorial Hospital. Born June 27, 1911 in Lawrence Co., he was the son of Birtle and Leta (Owens) Sowder. He married Thelma Lorene Deckard on September 7, 1929 and she preceded him in death. He retired as an electric furnace operator for General Motors and was a member of the Donica Memorial Church of God. Gerald never met a stranger. He was an avid shade tree mechanic and electrician who wired homes for many. After his retirement, he enjoyed outdoor activities including fishing, bird hunting, pitching horseshoes, riding his motorcycle and hosting big fish fries. Gerald will be deeply missed by all his family and friends. Survivors include two sons, Harold Sowders and Farrell Sowder both of Bedford; four daughters, Barbara Smoot and Maxine Allgood both of Bedford, Irene Padgett of Switz City and Carolyn Perry of Bryantsville; twenty grandchildren; forty-one great grandchildren; thirty-eight great great grandchildren; two great great great grandchildren; two sisters, Mildred Acuff of Ellettsville and Freadona Scott of Heltonville. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, two brothers, Sylvester Sowder and Birtle Roy Sowder; one sister, Margaret Harden; one grandson, Byron Dean Sowders. Funeral Information Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 am on Monday, September 22nd at the Donica Memorial Church of God with Rev. Farrell Sowder officiating. Burial will follow in the Hanson Cemetery. Friends may call from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Sunday, September 21st at the Day & Carter Mortuary and from 9:30 am until the hour of service on Monday, September 22nd at the Donica Memorial Church of God. View Video Tribute