Stanley R. Cowden

Stanley R. Cowden, 68, of Amity, died Tuesday, September 8, 2015, in his home, following a five-year illness. He was born November 5, 1946, in Scenery Hill, a son of the late James McBurney Cowden and Mildred Irene Nyswaner Cowden. Mr. Cowden graduated from Bentworth High School in 1964. A machinist, he retired from GE Hitachi Custom Fabrication in Canonsburg and formerly worked at H.B.C. Barge in Brownsville. Mr. Cowden was a member of Glyde United Methodist Church and National Pike Steam, Gas and Horse Association. He liked to restore tractors and was an “all-around” craftsman. His greatest enjoyment was sitting at his garage and talking to those who stopped by. Mr. Cowden was very family-oriented and always willing to help his friends, family and neighbors. His gentle heart showed every day when he fed the deer and turkeys that came into his yard. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and neighbors, as well as his pets. On September 17, 1977, he married Doris Ann Hamilton, who survives. Also surviving are two brothers, James Ray Cowden (Donna B.) and Michael Shawn Cowden (Sherry); two sisters, Brenda F. Cowden and Mary Ann Cowden, all of Scenery Hill; nephew, James Dean Cowden; nieces, Annette L. Franell and Shelby Cowden; and great-nephew, Brady Franell. He is also survived by in-laws, Rev. Richard (Anna) Hamilton, Janice (Richard) Roeper, and Terry (Sharon) Hamilton; nieces and nephews, Susan Ouellette, Judy Robichaud, James Hamilton, Christopher Hamilton, Andrew Hamilton, Patti Konovich, Carrie Klingensmith, David Hamilton, Roxanne Hamilton and Christine Gray; 13 great nieces and nephews, and 12 great great nieces and nephews. Friends will be received from 2 till 6 p.m., the time of service, on Saturday, September 12th, in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, with Rev. Dr. Gary Schneider officiating. Burial will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Care of Washington Health System, 155 Wilson Avenue, Washington, PA 15301, or to a wildlife organization of the donor’s choice.