Noel "Vernon" Bowers, 82, of Benton, passed away Tuesday, May 16, 2017. He was born Sept. 15, 1934, in Cherry Valley, Arkansas to the late Noel and Irene Mann Bowers.
Vernon proudly served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Bronson during the Korean War where he was awarded the United Nations Service Ribbon, Korean Service Ribbon with one star, National Defense Service Medal, and the Navy Occupation Service Medal.
Following his time in the service, he worked and retired from Alcoa. Vernon enjoyed spending time camping with his family when his children were younger. One of their most memorable trips was taking a 10-week vacation traveling to 17 states and Canada in a Volkswagen van with the entire family and a pet monkey.
Vernon was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Beverly Jeanne Bloemke Bowers; and two sisters, Joanne Prater and Carolyn Grant.
He is survived by a brother, Maynard Bowers and wife, Joan, of Benton; two sons, Jeffrey Bowers and wife, Virginia, of Benton, and Mark Bowers, of Haskell; three daughters, Pat Stuckey and husband, Charley, of Bismarck, Wendy Moore and husband, Tony, of Shannon Hills, and Debbie Wiggins, of Bearden; 11 grandchildren, Don Lawrence, Michael Moore, Steven Moore, Brittney Bowers, Brooke Bowers, Niki Alsup Walden, Jessica Sisk, Justin Tidwell, Shane Banks, Jackie Banks, and Nathan Banks; 18 great-grandchildren, Johna Lawrence, Maddox Bowers, Easton Castillo, Bella Castillo, Hunter Moore, Maegan Moore, Alex Moore, Ellie Moore, Bennett Moore, Caleb Banks, Bella Banks, Dalton Banks, Jesse Banks, Johnathan Sisk, Aryana Sisk, Bella Martinez, Landyn Walden, Alex Walden and a number of family and friends who loved Vernon and will miss him always.
Reception visitation will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 21, at Smith-Benton Funeral Home, 322 N. Market St., in Benton.
Arrangements are entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home, a certified Veterans Funeral Care provider.
Online guestbook: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.
Reception Visitation
MAY
21.
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM (CDT)
Smith - Benton Funeral Home
322 N. Market St.
Benton, AR, 72015