Liberty Center Vet Dies of Blast Burns

Coal Oil Explosion Fatal to Jack Bowers

From The Blade Correspondent

LIBERTY CENTER, O., Sept. 5. Jack H. Bowers, 25, died in Napoleon Hospital Thursday of burns suffered in a coal oil explosion in his home.

He was burned Wednesday night as he was kindling a fire in a water heater in his home. The flames had been extinguished by neighbors after Mr. Bowers ran from the home.

Mr. Bowers, who served as a Navy Seabee in the Pacific area in World War II, was graduated from Liberty Center High School in 1940. He had excelled in athletics. He was a salesman for a Grand Rapids, Mich., clothing concern.

Surviving are his wife, Vivalyn; one son, Terry, 5; daughter, Brenda Kay, 2 months; parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Bowers, and brothers, Robert, Huron, O., and Donald, Oakland, Calif.

Military services, conducted by the American Legion Post, will be Sunday at 1:30 p.m. in the Walters Funeral Home and at 2 p.m. in the Methodist Church.

Obituary

Jack Harrison Bowers was born in Liberty Center, Ohio, March. 27, 1922, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Bowers. He was united in marriage with Miss Vivalyn Hefflinger, September 8, 1940, and to this union were born two children, Terry, 5 years and Brenda Kay, 2 months.

An accident occurred Wednesday evening when he was preparing to light a fire in the water heater of his home, which caused an explosion, inflicting severe burns. He was removed to the Heller Memorial hospital in Napoleon and departed this life the following day, September 4th at approximately 10:00 a. m. Funeral services were held Sunday, September 7, in Liberty Center Methodist church, with burial in Young cemetery, Rev. David Eichar officiating.

Jack united with the local Methodist Church in 1939, was graduated from Liberty Center high school in 1940. He excelled in athletics.

He enlisted in the Seabees in June, 1943, and after training in the States, saw action in the Pacific area.

Following his release from service, he became employed as a salesman for C. J. Farley Co., Grand Rapids, Mich.

Surviving are wife, Vivalyn;. son Jerry, and daughter Brenda Kay; parents, Mr .and Mrs. Clarence L. Bowers; brothers, Robert, K., Huron, O., and Donald, Oakland, , Calif.; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Bowers, Liberty Center, Mr. and Mrs. James E. Forney, Anderson, Indiana.