Floyd F. Fowler

Wednesday, December 8, 2004

Floyd F. Fowler, 94, of rural Sheldon, passed away Monday evening, Dec. 6, 2004, at Nevada Regional Medical Center, following a lengthy illness. Mr. Fowler was born March 19, 1910, in Sheldon, to Edward Garfield Fowler and Matilda Jane Beisley Fowler. On July 16, 1930, he was united in marriage in Adrian, Mo., to Mildred Helen Norwood, and she survives of the home.

Mr. Fowler attended the Ferry School as a youth as well as working on the family farm, where he not only acquired a love for the land, but valuable experience he would use for a lifetime.

After marriage, Floyd and his wife rented a farm for a time before purchasing their own 40 acres in 1939 which joined the family farm. They built a two-room farmhouse and went to work farming and raising a family. As their family grew, they built a new home in 1948 where they have resided since.

Floyd was a very conscientious farmer and always practiced good methods that included soil and water conservation. He helped with the forming of the Vernon County Soil and Water District and was among the first in Vernon County to construct terraces to reduce soil erosion. Numerous miles of terraces and waterways have been built on the farm; a practice continuing to be used today. Floyd was a good livestock producer also. He knew the importance of selecting top producing breeding stock. He consistently produced animals that would bring top price at the markets and sold breeding stock to many local producers.

Floyd served on numerous boards. They include: the former Sheldon Co-op, which he helped to establish and served as president for 19 years, Vernon County Farm Bureau, ASC Committee, Youth Fair Building Committee, Bushwhacker Museum Historical Society, the Sheldon R-8 School Board and was also a member of the Sheldon Christian Church. Mr. Fowler was a progressive thinker and was very active in promoting community and school. During his retirement years he has enjoyed gardening, raising flowers, fishing and helping around the farm. He loved to visit with friends and family to reflect on the past and the many blessings of life.

Survivors in addition to his wife, Mildred, include six children, Helen Leininger, Sheldon; Clinton Fowler, Sheldon; Larry F. Fowler, Sheldon; Janice Lundberg, Wichita, Kan.; Ed Fowler, Sheldon; and Kerry Fowler, Sheldon; 17 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and one brother, Beverly Fowler, Sheldon. He was preceded in death by six sisters and five brothers.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 10, at the Sheldon Christian Church in Sheldon, with minister Ralph Shead and minister Andrew Kirschner officiating. Friends may call now and until 9 a.m. at Beeny-Ferry Funeral Home, Sheldon. The family receives friends 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Those who wish may contribute to the Sheldon Christian Church, the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association in care of Beeny-Ferry Funeral Home, Sheldon, Mo.