Wilbur L. Bowers

Wilbur L. Bowers, 80, of Creston, died Friday, July 13, 2018 at Akron General Medical Center after a brief period of failing health.

Wilbur was born Aug. 1, 1937 in Burbank to the late John L. and Dorothy (Talley) Bowers and married the former Ellen Mizer in Strasburg on July 18, 1959. She preceded him in death on Jan. 6, 2006. Wilbur was a 1955 graduate of Norwayne High School, graduated from Ashland University in 1959 and received his Master’s Degree in Education from Kent State University. His career in education spanned 31 years having taught at Lucas high School, Sterling Elementary, Highland High School and Norwayne High School before serving as Principal at Sterling Elementary for 22 years. In 1978 he obtained his auctioneers license and held numerous auctions in Northern Wayne and Southern Medina Counties as well as volunteered his services for many charitable causes. He also obtained his real estate license and sold real estate for Dale Wirth Realty and later Padgett Young Real Estate Inc.

With a passion for sports, especially baseball, he managed the Burbank Merchants Fast Pitch team in the 1950 during his high school and college days and then coached basketball and baseball at schools he served as an educator. He also coached little league baseball in Creston and in the Wayne County Hot Stove League. In the 1960’s and 70’s Wilbur was a basketball referee and in 1968 he became a registered baseball umpire for the Ohio High Schools Athletic Assoc. He umpired in Wayne County and surrounding counties for 30 years having umpired numerous sectional, district tournament games and two regional tournaments. In 1999 he was elected to the Wayne County Officials Hall of Fame.

Wilbur became a tournament manager for the Northeast District Athletic Board for Ohio High Schools in 1985 and retired in 2013 having managed the girls softball tournament for 28 years, the girls basketball tournament for 21 years and the boys baseball tournaments for 11 years at Norwayne High School.

A faithful member of Creston United Methodist Church for the past 54 years, he served as chairman of the board of trustees for many years and spearheaded numerous projects over the years. He was an active member of the Creston Lions Club for the past 55 years having held perfect attendance for all of those years. He held every office several times as well as oversaw the annual rose sale and popcorn ball sale. He truly believed in the meaning of Lionism and was a recipient of the Melvin Jones Award. Wilbur had made his home in Creston for the past 55 years and was always willing to serve the community through his service to the Creston Fireman’s Auction, the Creston Homecoming and served on the Creston Community Service Club Board. In 1987 Wilbur was honored as a Citizen of the Year for all his service to the Creston Community, Norwayne Local Schools, the Creston Lion’s Club and his Church.

Wilbur enjoyed collecting old bottles and antiques including Creston-Burbank-Sterling memorabilia and he was a member of the Ohio Bottle Club in Wadsworth as well as a member of the Creston Historical Society. A trapper in the winter and a traveler to many States, he loved his times spent with family traveling and going to his special places, Las Vegas and Progressive Field to watch the Tribe. Wilbur will be greatly missed but will be remember for his love of God, his family, his community and his church.

Surviving are his sons and daughters-in-law, John and Barbara Bowers of Creston and Timothy and Lynn Bowers of Hilliard; his grandchildren, Brandon, Brian and Bradley Bowers and Catherine Griffith and her fiancé Connor MacKenzie; his beloved special friend and companion, Jeanne Weahry of Creston and a special niece, Michelle Mizer. Wilbur was preceded in death by his wife, his parents and a brother and sister-in-law, Neal and Betty Bowers.

Services will be Tuesday, July 17that 11:00 a.m. at Creston-Canaan United Methodist Church, with Pastor Lori Burdette-Steele and Rev. Dale RuLon officiating. Friends may call Monday from 4-8 p.m. at Murray Funeral Home in Creston. Tributes may be shared at www.Murray-Funeral-Home.com Memorial contributions may be made to Creston Canaan United Methodist Church, PO Box 1111, Creston, OH 44217 or to Creston Lions Club for Eye Research c/o 109 Kimberly Dr., Creston, OH 44217.