ELKHART -- Friends of Theodore A. "Ted" Bower may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., where the funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday. The Rev. Lee Campbell of New Hope United Methodist Church will officiate, and burial will be at Christian Chapel Cemetery in Merriam, Ind.

Mr. Bower, 81, of 416 South Drive, died at home at 7:10 a.m. Friday (Jan. 5, 2007).

He was born Dec. 6, 1925, to Abner T. and Emma E. (Egolf) Bower in Coesse, Ind. He married Betty Jane Pethick Aug. 11, 1986, in Three Oaks, Mich.

She survives, with three stepsons, Michael (Pamela) Pethick of Coloma, Mich., Steven (Lynn) Pethick of South Carolina and Charles Pethick of Three Oaks; two stepdaughters, Kay (Gene) Hefner and Sharon (Jerry) Gathright, both of St. Joseph, Mich.; nine stepgrandchildren; nine stepgreat-grandchildren; and a sister, Elizabeth (Howard) Watson of Edwardsburg, Mich.

Four brothers and one sister preceded him in death.

Mr. Bower was retired from Bendix, where he worked for 33 years. He was a member of New Hope United Methodist Church, Coachmen Camping Club and Good Sam Camping Club. He enjoyed gardening and fishing and spending time with his nieces and nephews.

Condolences may be sent online at www.billingsfuneralhome.com. Memorials may be given to the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care or New Hope United Methodist Church.

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