Wilbur C Fowler

Wilbur C. Fowler, 81, of McDonald, passed away at 2:45 a.m. on Thursday July 4, 2013.  Mr. Fowler was born July 2, 1932 in Lodi, Ohio, the son of Frank and Frances Rouse Fowler. His family, who made their living at farming, eventually moved to Stow, Ohio.  Wilbur graduated from Stow High School in 1950.  After high school, he enlisted in the United States Army and served with the 45th infantry in active combat during the Korean War.  His service record includes the award of a Purple Heart.  After Korea, Mr. Fowler, then a Sergeant First Class, served as an instructor at the U.S. Army's Fort Benning Military Reservation in Georgia.  Mr. Fowler met and married his wife, the late Victoria Fowler, in 1954 and the couple settled in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.  For a year he worked in heavy construction and was part of a crew that built a section of the Ohio Turnpike just east of the Cuyahoga Valley.  From 1955 to 1965, Mr. Fowler was a dectective with the Pennsylvnaia Railroad, working out of the railroad's Cleveland office and then the Youngstown offices and station after moving his family to McDonald, Ohio in 1959.  In 1965 he began employment with Copperweld Steel in Warren, Ohio in the company's plant protection, ambulance and fire division, a job that included a commission as a Trumbull County Deputy. He worked for Copperweld Steel for 30 years.  Since 1965 Wilbur Fowler was active in Freeemasonry, both as a member of the William Farr Lodge in Girard, Ohio and , after taking his Scottish Rite degree, the Youngstown Masonic Temple as well.  In 1996 he was awarded the Masonic Ohio Council of Deliberation's Meritorious Service Award.   He is survived by his son Douglas A. (Diana Ludwig) Fowler of McDonald, and a sister Maybelle ( David) Ulm of Mogadore, Ohio. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife,  his son Jeffrey W. Fowler, sister Doris Sinley and brothers Raymond Fowler and Frank Fowler.  Funeral services will be held on Monday July 8th, 11:00 AM, at the Blackstone Funeral Home in Girard. The family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday from 4-7PM.  A Masonic Service will be held on Sunday at 6:45 p.m.  Interment will take place with Military Honors at Greenhaven Cemetery. The family requests any material contributions be made to the Scottish Rite Learning Center or Crossroads Hospice of Akron. Visit www.blackstonefuneralhome.com to view this obituary and to send condolences to the Fowler family.