Kenneth R. Bowers Sr., age 79 of Stanwood, passed away Monday, May 31, 2010 in Grand Rapids. A resident of Mecosta County his entire life, Ken was born July 8, 1930 in Stanwood, the son of James and Jennie (Bice) Bowers. He married Marian Shepard on March 22, 1952 in Big Rapids where the couple made their home until moving to Stanwood in 1973. Ken held several jobs during his working career including; a foreman for Michigan Knife (currently Simmons) and running a dairy farm. He will be affectionately remembered by the community for his nearly 15 years of volunteer service with the Mecosta County Sherriff's Posse. Ken also volunteered for the Mecosta County R.S.V.P. and was a member of the Brockway Wesleyan Church near Morley. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Marian Bowers, 3 sons, Kenneth Bowers Jr., William Bowers both of Stanwood, James (Valerie) Bowers of Morley; 2 daughters, Jennie (Mark) Derby and Cynthia (Michael) Marrs all of Morley; 7 grandchildren, 11 step-grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; 3 step-great-grandchildren; a sister Virginia (John) Gibbons of San Antonio, TX; 2 sisters-in-law, Margaret Shaw of Onaway, Donna Whaley of Alpena; 3 brothers-in-law, Richard (Barbara) Shepard, Henry (Laura) Shepard, all of Grand Ledge, Lawrence (Judy) Shepard of Vestaburg; many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Ken was preceded in death by his son, Robert Bowers on August 6, 2002; a brother Christopher Nelson and 2 sisters Frances Mae Carpenter and Freda Mae (Allen) Parker. Funeral services will take 1:00 p.m. Friday, June 4th at the Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home in Big Rapids with Pastor Roger Cooper officiating. The family will greet friends on Thursday at the funeral home from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Burial will be at Oakdale Cemetery in Hersey.