Submitted by: Dan Rich

Ira Anthony William Cowen

Oct. 31, 1906 - Feb. 17, 2001

South Bend Tribune 2/22/2001

Ira Anthony William Cowen, "the farm boy of Leiters Ford, IN," 94, residing on South 28th Street, South Bend, IN, passed away at 11:00 p.m. Saturday, February 17, 2001, at his home from natural causes surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Cowen was employed for 30 years at South Bend Lathe as a Shipping Room Foreman, and served as custodian at Sunnyside Presbyterian Church until age 85. Mr. Cowen was born on October 31, 1906, in Leiters Ford, IN, to John W. and Carrie (Breman) Cowen, and lived most of his life in South Bend.

On June 3, 1928, in South Bend, he married Lois Yeider. He is survived by his loving wife of 73 years, Lois; along with a son, Douglas (Jan) Cowen of South Bend; four daughters, Lila (James) Trump Sr. of Port St. Lucie, FL, Bettie Paluzzi and Judy (Gordon) Eddy, both of South Bend, and Suzy (Jack) Mechling of Indianapolis, IN; nine granddaughters, Roxanna (Kenneth) Spoon of Shirley, IN, Sheryll Trump of Muncie, IN, Rev. Darci (Dennis) Sieracki and Juliana (Bob) Freske, both of Indianapolis, Anne (Jason) Palmer of Saltillo, MS, Patti (Troy) Day of Mishawaka, Marci Mechling of Jacksonville, FL, Kathie Kaufman and Tammie (Bob) Meiszberg, both of South Bend; and seven grandsons, James (Debbie) Trump Jr. of Cicero, IN, Nelson (Beth) Trump of Noblesville, IN, Curt Paluzzi of Granger, Douglas (Dawn) Cowen of South Bend, Lt. James Cowen of Arlington, VA, Rich (Pam) Eddy of Edwardsburg, MI, and Matt Mechling of Indianapolis, IN. Also surviving are twenty great-grandsons, Stevie Kaufman, Michael Kaufman, Ryan Meiszberg, Brett Meiszberg, Will Freske, Jake Freske, Stuart Cowen, all of South Bend, Isaac Palmer of California, Chad Paluzzi and Michael Day of Mishawaka, Robert Spoon, Joseph Spoon and Andrew Spoon of Shirley, IN, Steele Welton and Shepard Welton of Muncie, IN, Adam Crago of Indianapolis, James Trump, III, and Chris Trump of Cicero, IN, Nelson Trump and Tommy Trump of Noblesville, IN; seven great-granddaughters, Stacie Hale, Shana Markle, Michelle Crago, Emily Crago, Melissa Trump, Amanda Trump and Martina Day; two great-great-grandsons, Tyler Paluzzi and Ethan Welton; six great-great-granddaughters, Ginger Spoon, Chelsie Hale, Chyna Hale, Courtney Welton, Adriana Welton and Elissa Welton; and three brothers, Lester Cowen of Lynn, IN, Willis Cowen of Plymouth and Lloyd Cowen of Warsaw. He was preceded in death by a brother, Burless; and by seven sisters, Louvena, Rosetta, Bernice, Dottie, Viola, Annabelle and Lucille.

Mr. Cowen was a member of River Park United Methodist Church, South Bend; River Park Fisherman's Club; Fitness U.S.A.; YMCA; Donnell Lake Conservation Club; and was a former member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He attended Dead Man's College near Leiters Ford, IN. Ira loved fishing and boating at Donnell Lake where everyone was invited. He also loved traveling, playing the harmonica, and being around people.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Saturday, Feb. 24, at River Park United Methodist Church, 920 S. 23rd Street, South Bend. Rev. Philip Abram, pastor of the church, and Rev. Darci Sieracki, his granddaughter, will officiate. The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Palmer Funeral Home, 2528 Mishawaka Avenue, South Bend, and one hour prior to services on Saturday at the church. Contributions in memory of Mr. Cowen may be given to River Park United Methodist Church or to the Donnell Lake Conservation Club, Donnell Lake, Vandalia, MI 49095.