Obituary of Silas Gifford Bowerman

Silas G. Gifford Bowerman peacefully passed away at home in Marshville, NY early Tuesday morning, December 7, 2010, at the age of 81, after a long and courageous fight against lung cancer. Silas was born August 21, 1929 in Mapletown, NY the son of S. Gifford Bowerman and Laura Cornelia Garlock Bowerman and lived all of his life in the hamlet of Marshville. He attended and graduated from Canajoharie Central Schools where he was a participant of sports and musical programs. On July 14, 1951 he married Evelyn Dygert and together they raised eight children as he helped his father on the family's dairy farm. Silas retired from farming in 1978 and then worked first for Olsen Builders in Sharon Springs, and then WW Custom Clad, Canajoharie. He had been a member of the Marshville Evangelical Church, Bowman's Creek Grange in Buel, bowling leagues in both Sharon Springs and Canajoharie, and enjoyed hunting, fishing, reading westerns, and visiting casinos in New York, Connecticut and Las Vegas, but most of all loved events and activities that included his extensive family. Silas was predeceased by his parents, his uncle William Garlock, son-in-law Gary Parker and many paternal aunts and uncles. He is survived by his very devoted wife of 59 years and his children: Ella L. Bowerman, June E. Parker, S. Gifford Bowerman and wife Ann, George C. Bowerman and wife Belinda, James H. Bowerman and wife Lorie, Gerald A. Bowerman, Christine R. Rush and husband Michael Todd, Judith M. Bowman and husband Walter Nate, as well as twelve grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Relatives and friends are invited and may call Thursday, December 9, 2010 from 4 until 7p.m. at Lenz & Betz Funeral Home on Otsego Street, Canajoharie, NY. His funeral will be held on Friday, December 10, 2010 at 12:30 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Dr. R.W. Williams presiding. Internment will take place in the Fort Plain Cemetery immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation as remembrance in Silas' name to Mountain Valley Hospice, 108 Steele Avenue, Gloversville, NY.