Wendel B. Gower

Wendel B. Gower, 81, of Washington, died Thursday, May 19, 2016, in the Emergency Department of The Washington Hospital. He was born December 31, 1934, in Confluence, Somerset County, a son of the late John and Effie Smith Gower. Mr. Gower was a 50-year member of Jefferson Avenue United Methodist Church, where he served as a trustee and usher. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from California State College (California University of Pennsylvania). Mr. Gower was an Industrial Arts teacher at Trinity High School for 33 years. In addition, he was co-founder and part owner for 34 years of the renowned GG&C Bus Company. A former football coach for Trinity, he was an avid sports fan, and enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s sporting and social events. A skilled woodworker and metalworker, Mr. Gower built his family home. He took pride in his work and all of his accomplishments, but family was always his number one priority. On June 2, 1957, he married Norma Jean “Jeannie” Kinder, who survives. Also surviving are two sons, Todd Gower and Robert (Denielle) Gower; two daughters, Jill (Ray) Morrow and Wendy (Wyatt) Briant, all of Washington; seven grandchildren, Jaclyn Coddington, Erin Ross, Shaylyn and Drake Gower, and Lindsey, Garrett and Dawson Briant; and one great-grandchild, Ryder Coddington. Deceased are a son, John Gower, and two sisters, Carolyn Conley and Eileen Glover. Friends will be received Sunday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 23rd, with Rev. Ross Pryor officiating. Entombment will follow in Forest Lawn Gardens, McMurray. Memorial contributions may be made to American Heart Association, 444 Liberty Avenue, #1300, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.