EDGERTON, Ohio -- George Duane "Skip" Bowers Jr., 63, of Park View Nursing Center, formerly of Elkhart, Ind., died at 12:30 p.m. Sunday (Feb. 7, 2010) in Community Memorial Hospital, Hicksville, after an extended battle with Huntington's disease.

He was born Aug. 29, 1946, in Elkhart to George D. Sr. and Leora (Rowe) Bowers.

Mr. Bowers is survived by his mother, Leora (Bruce) Martin of Goshen; one brother, Bruce (Dianne) Bowers of Mesa, Ariz.; one stepbrother, Blair (Mary) Martin of Sterling, Kan.; one sister, Marilou (Richard "Dick") Snell of Elkhart; and one stepsister, Faith Martin of Goshen.

He attended Taylor University, Indiana University South Bend and Crowder College, Neosho, Mo., where he earned an associate's degree in applied science in freshwater and wastewater treatment. He worked at CTS, Elkhart, for several years, and at the Elkhart Wastewater Treatment Plant as the lead operator for 13 years before retiring in 2003 for health reasons.

Mr. Bowers was an extensive traveler/adventurer, taking several trips to Europe and the American West, including the Grand Canyon, with his cousin and traveling companion, Mary Ann Bloomingdale. He made a tradition of taking his nieces and nephews to Washington, D.C., to celebrate their 13th birthdays.

An avid outdoorsman, Mr. Bowers loved to fish and camp and ran in several marathons, including the Chicago and New York City marathons. He was a U.S. Army veteran who as a sergeant during the Vietnam War, was stationed in Germany, where he was involved with top-secret electronic radio technology.

Cremation has taken place. A graveside service with military honors rendered by the U.S. Army Funeral Honor Guard and DAV Chapter 19, Elkhart, wil be at Veterans Towers in Prairie Street Cemetery, Elkhart, at a later date.

Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, is assisting with arrangements.

Memorials may be given to Huntington's Disease Society of America, 505 Eighth Ave., New York, NY 10018.

Visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com to send online condolences.