Robert Russell Cowden

Robert R. Cowden, 79, of Avella, died at 1:10 a.m., Thursday, September 16, 2004, at the Washington Hospital, after a lengthy illness. He was born on February 19, 1925, in Hickory, PA, a son of Robert Thompson and Mina Rumbaugh Cowden. Mr. Cowden worked as a truck driver for Mill Service, Inc. for 30 years. He was formerly a self-employed truck driver, hauling steel from Washington to Chicago. He was a member of Upper Buffalo Presbyterian Church, a member of the Washington County Fair Board, Tri-State Quarter Horse Association, a former Hopewell Township supervisor, and an honorary member of the 4-H, F.F.A. Mr. Cowden was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He served in invasion of Normandy during WW II. Mr. Cowden received the European Theater Ribbon, the American Theater Ribbon and the WW II Victory Medal. On August 20, 1947, he married Lois Lee, who survives. Also surviving is a daughter, Leslie Danley of Avella; 2 brothers, Ernest Cowden of Hickory, PA and Paul E. Cowden of Houston, Pa; 3 sisters, Virginia Hudak of Wellsburg, WV, Nova Jones and Florence Masteller, both of Pittsburgh; 3 grandchildren, Sgt. Beth Ann Colvin, Tim Danley and Robert John Cowden; deceased are 2 sons, Rodney Alan and Kenneth Cowden; a grandson, Joshua Miller, and a brother, Wayne L. Cowden. Friends of Robert R. Cowden of Avella who died Thursday, September 16, 2004, will be received Saturday from 7-9 p.m. and Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Ave, Washington, PA, where services will be held on Monday, September 20, 2004 at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.