Rev. Ernest Towler

IRONTON, Mo. -- The Rev. Ernest William Towler Jr., 94, of Ironton died Thursday, June 20, 2002, at Parkland Hospital in Farmington, Mo.

He was born Feb. 7, 1908, in Prairie View, Texas, son of Ernest and Julia Ellen Shoquist Towler Sr. He and Elizabeth "Betty" Bland were married Aug. 30, 1942.

Towler attended two years of medical school at Texas University, then graduated from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago.

He was pastor of Immanuel First Baptist Church in St. Louis, First Baptist Church in Bonne Terre, Mo., and served as director of missions of Mineral Area Baptist Association from 1952 to 1978.

Towler had a weekly program 25 years on KREI Radio in Farmington. He served many churches as supply minister, led revivals, and served interim pastorates. He served Baptist churches at Potosi, Jackson, Ellington, Gray Summit, Sullivan, Ste. Genevieve, Delta, Lesterville, and North Cheyenne, Wyo.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Ernest Towler III of Farmington; a daughter, Jude Burgfeld of Jackson; five grandchildren; and a great-grandson.

He was preceded in death by two daughters, a grandson, three brothers, and three sisters.

The funeral was held June 22 at First Baptist Church in Ironton. The Rev. Darrell Jauch, the Rev. Don Stanley and John Burney officiated. Burial was in Hillview Memorial Gardens at Farmington.

Bryson Funeral Home in Pilot Knob, Mo., was in charge of arrangements.