MERLIN H. BOWERS

JACKSON -- Merlin H. Bowers, 76, of Jackson, died Tuesday, Dec. 6, 1994, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Sept. 1, 1918, at Daisy, son of Leslie and Mabel Harris Bowers. He and Hazel Francis were married July 4, 1940. She died Nov. 18, 1989.

Bowers farmed in the Oak Ridge community, moving to Jackson in 1953. He was a foreman of the bottling department at Coca Cola Bottling Co., retiring in 1984. He was a member of New McKendree United Methodist Church, Excelsior Lodge AF&AM 441, and was a 32nd Degree Mason.

Survivors include two sons, Larry Bowers of Bowling Green, Ky., Paul Bowers of Jackson; a daughter, Linda Crader of Hawk Point; a brother, William "Bill" Bowers of Cape Girardeau; 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son and sister.

Friends may call at Cracraft-Miller Funeral Home from 4-8 p.m. today. A Masonic service will be held at 7.

Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Otto Steinhaus officiating. Burial will be in Goshen Cemetery near Oak Ridge.