Obituary of Heber Sowders, Jr.

Bedford – Heber Sowders, Jr., 88, of Bedford, passed away on Monday, July 24, 2023, at I.U. Health Hospice House in Bloomington. Born August 29, 1934, in Lawrence Co., he was the son of Heber and Martha (Hillenburg) Sowders. He married Mary Ellen Keithley on May 8, 1954, and she survives. He was a graduate of Oolitic High School and attended Oolitic Pentecostal Church. He retired from Ravenswood in Mitchell, IN. Survivors include his wife, Mary Ellen; three children, Mary Beth Browning, Jim (Davena) Sowders, and Susan Jones; ten grandchildren, Brian Browning, Mary Anne (Travis) Gould, Damon (Cheryl) Hale, Amanda (Mike) Britton, Andrew (Anna-Lisa) Jones, Haley (Deonte) Mack, Hope (Jon) Gastineau, Zach Galloway, Stephen (Brie) Galloway, and Lindsey (Wyatt) Gaweda; thirteen great-grandchildren, Morgan (Cole) Lynn, Tracer (Chandler) Gould, Peyton Hale, KJ, Desmond, and Trey Beau Mack, Brooklyn and Elijah Jones, Cora, Lina, and Ada Britton, Sterling Gastineau, and Ada Galloway; two great-great-grandchildren, Ava and Parker Lynn. He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings, Dorothy Owens, Marcella Turner, Peggy Bush, Jim Sowders, and Judy Sowders. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 pm on Friday, July 28th at the Oolitic Pentecostal Church with Pastors Marty Speer and Reggie Turner officiating. Burial will follow in the Mundell Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 am until the hour of service on Friday at the Oolitic Pentecostal Church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks friends consider donating to the I.U. Health Hospice House or charity of one’s choice. Family and friends may express condolences at www.daycarter.com.