Reuben Eugene Bowden

Mio, Mich.

Reuben Bowden, 74, of Mio, Mich., died Sunday, Aug. 20, 2006, at Bortz Health Care in Rose City. He was born in Black Oak on Feb. 27, 1934. Family and close friends remember him for his lightning fast left-handed pitch with a baseball. He played for one of the St. Louis Cardinal farm teams before injuring his arm.

He served in the U.S. Army as a private first class in the Korean War. He worked for the Chrysler Corporation in St. Louis and Detroit for 28 years and retired as a superintendent. In Warren he was a member of the FOE club

and member of the Church of Christ.

He is survived by his wife, Rita A. Bowden. Also surviving are his daughter, Kitty Bowden of Norristown, Pa.; his son, Bob Bowden of Macomb, Mich.; granddaughter, Katie Bowden, also of Macomb; two brothers, Paul Bowden of Jonesboro and Harold Bowden of Williford.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jake and Edna "Thomas" Bowden; two brothers, J.T. and Junior Lee Bowden; and two sisters, twin Ruby Bowden and Evelyn Jo "Ashley" Barham.

The body was cremated. Arrangements were under the direction of Lashley Funeral home of Mio. A memorial service was held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Monette Cemetery with Dr. Bill Verkler conducting the service.

Dale and Paula Poag of Manila served a light lunch at their home.

The family requests anyone wishing to leave a lasting memorial consider the American Cancer Society of Michigan, 525 West 14th Street, Suite No. 5, Traverse City, Mich. 49684, or the Children's Home in Paragould.