Jerold Bower

Jerold Russell "Rusty" Bower, Jr., age 71, of Greenville, passed away Sunday, February 21, 2021 at home. The son of Ardis Joan (Robertson) & Jerald Russell Bower, Sr., he was born on February 17, 1950 in Greenville, where he graduated from Greenville High School in 1968. In 1970, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, proudly serving our Nation as a Master Sergeant until his retirement in 1990. His awards while serving included the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Outstanding Unit Award, Overseas Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Award, and the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon. On October 11, 1980, at Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda, Michigan, he married the former Jeanne Marie Skiver and together they raised five children and enjoyed 41 years of marriage. After his retirement from the Air Force, Rusty had a second career working with Stafford Communications and The Daily News in accounting until health issues forced his second retirement. Rusty enjoyed riding his motorcycle, playing horseshoes and euchre, baking bread, hunting, having coffee with friends, and working on his Model A Ford (which he inherited from his grandfather and father and continues on to the fourth generation of the family's care with his son), but most of all his family meant the most to him. He was preceded in death by his parents. Surviving are his wife, Jeanne Bower of Greenville; five children, Lisa & Kenneth Clinger, Sr., Jerry Lynn & William M. Weigel, Scott & Bobbie Jo Bower, Randy & Angie Bower, and Rebecca & David Sabourin; his grandchildren, Kenneth Clinger, Jr., Amanda Clinger, Karrisa Craigmyle, Jeramey Craigmyle, William S. Weigel, Samantha Weigel, Amanda Weigel, Nathan Bower, Natalie Bower, Aaron Bower, Jayden Bower, Lillian Bower, Hadleigh Bower, Jackson Sabourin, Elise Sabourin, Elliot Sabourin, and Scarlet Sabourin; his great grandchildren, Natonya Clinger, Makayla Craigmyle, Gabryal Craigmyle, Talon Clinger, Braiden Weigel, Zoey Babcock, and Haisley Babcock; a brother, Terry & Judy Bower; two sisters, Beverly Hoisington and Vicky & Jim Leyrer; and several nieces and nephews. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Rusty's life with the rendering of military honors at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 14, 2021, at 8757 Berridge Road, Greenville, and a time to share food, fellowship, and memories immediately following. Military honors will be rendered jointly by the Ray I. Booth American Legion Post 101 and the United States Air Force. Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Christiansen's Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Greenville, (616) 754-5638, exclusive providers of Veterans Funeral Care. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jerold Bower, please visit our flower store.