Obituary of Walter W. Stowell

SOMERVILLE - Walter W. Stowell, age 89, of Somerville, passed away at home on Thursday, January 17, 2013. Calling hours will be at French Funeral Home, Gouverneur on Sunday from 12:00 until 2:00 p.m. The VFW DADS will hold a service for him at 1:30 p.m. during calling hours. His funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Monday, January 21, 2012 at 12:00 p.m. with lay minister, Judy Sibley, officiating. Burial will follow in the Hailesboro Cemetery. Walter was born on November 10, 1923 in Macomb to the late Willard and Mabel (Sipher) Stowell. He married Nellie M. Hance on April 18, 1963 in Whitehall, MD. Mr. Stowell owned and operated his dairy farm in Somerville before retiring in 1978. Upon retiring from the farm, Walter worked for Bradley Love for several years. Walter was a member of the VFW DADS Post 80 in Gouverneur, where he was a past President for three years and Post President of the Year for 1988-1989. He was a former member of the Gouverneur ELKS and an avid fisherman. His survivors include his wife, Nellie of Somerville; two sons, James of Dexter, Steven of Gouverneur; step-son, Linton Hance of Fowler; daughter, Vicki Peck of LaFargeville; two step-daughters, Nancy Worthley of Rensselaer Falls, and Diane Recher of Gouverneur; a sister, Edith Preston of Ogdensburg. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and his nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by a son, Timothy, and a sister, Ruth Bogardus. Donations in memory of Walter may go to the Gouverneur Rescue Squad, P.O Box 164, Gouverneur NY 13642 or to the Gouverneur Fire Department, 33 Clinton St., Gouverneur NY 13642. Condolences may be made online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com.