RICHARD MOWELL

CAIRO, Ill. -- Richard Franklin Mowell, 96, of Cairo died Sunday, Feb. 25, 2001, at his home.

He was born Dec. 2, 1904, in Weitaug, Ill., son of John and Sarah Braggs Mowell. He and Marianne Vaudreuil were married Nov. 6, 1941, in St. Louis, and the two resided in Cairo for the remainder of his life.

Mowell owned and operated 11 retail grocery stores, which he established after moving to Cairo in 1932. He operated the stores in surrounding areas of Cairo for 20 years. In 1952, he became co-owner of Burger Cowsert Wholesale Grocery and Produce Co. Mowell later became the sole owner and then sold the business to the Rose Trucking Co.

In 1965, he bought the Warden Ford dealership in Cairo. After several years, he sold the dealership to then-manager Peter Thomas.

Mowell was a partner with Ed Shelton in the Ed Shelton Aviation Charter Service in the middle 1950s. Both he and his wife had pilot licenses.

He served in the armed forces during World War II and was stationed in Trinidad.

He was an active member of Elks Lodge 651 in Cairo, where he served on the Elks Ritual Team. He also was a member of the Egyptian Country Club in Mounds, Ill., and was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Cairo. He served on the Alexander County Board of Commissioners in the 1950s.

Survivors include his wife and a sister, Geneva Bohannon of Anna, Ill.

He was preceded in death by a sister and three brothers.

There will be no visitation.

A memorial Mass will take place at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Patrick's. The Rev. Jerome Fortenberry will officiate, with a private graveside service to take place later at the U.S. National Cemetery in Mound City.

Barkett Funeral Home in Cairo is in charge of arrangements.