Walton I. Lowry

Walton Isaac Lowry, age 98, long time resident of Pittsfield, passed away April 1, 2023, at Traditions of Beavercreek in Beavercreek, Ohio.  He was born September 6, 1924, in Dresden, Tennessee to Isaac and Minnie Lowry.  Walton married Martha Voorvaart April 10, 1947. They were married 61 years when she passed.  He later married Rowena Yaeger, who survives him.

Walt had 4 brothers and 3 sisters.  He graduated from 8th grade in Tennessee and his older brother Ed Lowry brought him to live in Pittsfield to continue his education.  The high school in Dresden was too far away for Walt to ride his horse to school.  Walt enjoyed many sports in high school, especially track and football.

Two weeks before Walt graduated from high school, he got his draft notice, but the military agreed to wait until he graduated.  He was inducted into the United States Navy on June 7, 1943.  He went to torpedo school and served on the USS Otus in the Pacific, during WWII. Walt was present for the signing of the WWII peace treaty on the USS Missouri.

Walt continued his love of sports into adulthood.  He enjoyed boxing and was a Golden Gloves Champion.  He coached boxing and was in a water ski club and won many trophies.  When his children were young, they spent most weekends on sandbars on the Mississippi River water skiing with friends.  He enjoyed playing cards, duck hunting, golfing, fishing, bowling, and scuba diving.  He also had his pilot’s license and enjoyed traveling in his motor home.  His grandchildren enjoyed many weekends with him on his pontoon boat, swimming, fishing, and windsurfing at Cannon Dam, Missouri.

Walt owned Lowry Music and installed background music in various businesses.  His business also provided jukeboxes, pinball machines, and pool tables in various businesses.  His shop was any kids dream!  Walt served multiple terms as President of the Illinois Coin Operators Association.

The 5 a.m. coffee crew at the Cardinal Inn became an important activity in his later years.  Walt always felt it was important to treat people the way you wanted to be treated.  His children and grandchildren learned much about kindness and the importance of family from him.  He did it all and was a friend to many.

Walt is survived by his wife, Rowena; three daughters, Sandra (Mike) Holmes of Bellbrook, Ohio, Vicki Harshman of Pittsfield, IL and Joyce (Vaughn) Rice of Shellrock, Iowa; eight grandchildren, Doug Wade, Ryan Wade, Brad Wade, Adam Wade, Ashley Fugate, John Holmes, Hope Vanderkrol, and Heather VonBergen; and sixteen great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

Walt was preceded in death by his first wife, Martha Lowry; four brothers and three sisters, Brooksie Stark, Blake Lowry, Woodie Lynn, Norman (Ed) Lowry, Noble (Hope) Hunt, Wren Lowry, and Charles (Mac) Lowry; grandson, Scott Rice; and son-in-law, Larry Harshman.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 9:00 AM, Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at West Cemetery in Pittsfield, IL. Memorials are suggested to be made to Great River Honor Flight. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.nieburfh.com.   Niebur Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

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