Forest Dean Bower

Forest "Dean" Bower, Jr., passed away suddenly on Saturday, October 9, 2021.

He was born to the late Forest and Dortha (Caris) Bower on February 27, 1948, in Crestline Hospital.

A local resident, Dean lived all of his life in Crawford County. He graduated from Colonel Crawford High School before attending one year at Olivet Nazarene College and then earned a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy from The Ohio State University. He served in the National Guard. On July 6, 1974, he married M. Susan Dias, his high school sweetheart. His livelihood included farming, plant manager in ag business, and 15 + years in shipping and receiving at Timken.

Since retirement, his pastimes included restoration and repair of tractors with his oldest son Daniel, attending tractor shows and auctions, camping, planting and harvesting the garden, and spending time with his family and grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife Susan of 47 years; his children: Daniel (Lyndsey Archer) Bower of Westerville; Andrew (Rachel) Bower of Medina; Abigail (Aaron) Wiechart of Reynoldsburg; his grandchildren: Madalyn Wiechart, AJ and Jacob "Muffin" Bower; and his sister June (Marlin) Hurles of Newark.

How do you capture a person's essence in words? Dean was a beloved husband, devoted father, adoring grandfather, caring friend, and helpful neighbor. Dean was pure love. He passionately loved his life, his wife, his family, his friends, his neighborhood, and his tractors.

The family will observe a private graveside service.

In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorial contributions may be made to the Ohio State Park Foundation, in care of the funeral home.

The Mark A. Schneider-Gompf Funeral Home, 303 Portland Way North, Galion, is honored to serve the family of Forest Dean Bower, Jr.

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