G. O. Gower

G.O. "Tooter" Gower of Bonne Terre passed away October 6, 2012 at the age of 76. He was born October 21, 1935 in Bonne Terre to the late John Gernzie and Billie Olds (Cross) Gower. He was also preceded in death by his sister-in-law, Suzie Gower and a brother-in-law Nelson Rednauer. He is survived by his wife Hester Kathryn (Freeman) Gower; three sons, Rick and wife Laurie of West Columbia, Texas, Randy and wife Cindy Gower of Bonne Terre, Rusty and wife Gina Gower of Desloge; eight grandchildren, Nikki and husband Jeremy Dougharty of West Columbia, Texas, Breezy and husband Gerald Johns of Angelton, Texas, Heather and husband Brandon Robertson of Pearland, Texas, Amanda and husband Jason Heberlie of Farmington, Amy Gower and friend Mark of Park Hills, Brittany and husband Mark Froidl of Columbia, MO, Kylie Gower and friend Chris of Farmington, C.J. Bland of Bonne Terre; seven great-grandchildren, Adrien, Darien, Kayleigh, Ryland, Emma, Katelyn, plus one on the way!; brothers, Fritz Gower of Bonne Terre, John and wife Laurie Gower of Fenton, sister, Eleanor-Ann Rednauer of Ava, IL; and numerous nieces and nephews. Tooter retired from the Union Pacific Railroad after 40 dedicated years, he was a member of the Primrose Baptist Church, Mineral Area Elks # 2583, and the Samaritan Masonic Lodge #424. He was a long time Auctioneer and an avid fisherman. Visitation will be Tuesday October 9, 2012 from 4 to 9 pm at the C.Z. Boyer & Son Funeral Home in Bonne Terre; a Mineral Area Elks Service will be at 6:50 pm followed by a Masonic Service at 7 pm. Funeral service will be 11 am Wendesday October 10, 2012 at the C.Z. Boyer & Son Chapel in Bonne Terre with Rev. Randy Murphy officiating. Interment will follow at the Bonne Terre Cemetery. Memorial may be directed to the American Heart Association or American Diabetes Foundation.