Russell L. Cowden, Sr.

Russell L. Cowden, Sr., of Prosperity, died on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, in the Washington Hospital. He was born June 14, 1929, the son of the late Joseph Lawrence Cowden and Alice Thelma Rumbaugh Cowden. Mr. Cowden was a 1948 graduate of Hickory High School and served in the U.S. Army following High School. He was employed by Bell Telephone Company for 36 years. Mr. Cowden was a member of Upper Ten Mile Presbyterian Church, American Legion Post 902, Chartiers Lodge 297, and Anawanna Hunting and Fishing Club. On September 15, 1951, he married Phyllis A. Gray, who died on August 7, 2016. Surviving are four children, Rev. Russell L. Cowden, Jr., (Rev. Carolyn Griffith) of Poland, Ohio, Susan (Greg) Dunn of Prosperity, Gary M. (Jane) Cowden of Hickory, and Bruce E. (Sandy) Cowden of Prosperity; 12 grandchildren, Russell L. (Tamara) Cowden III, Maj. Daniel (Julie) Cowden, Greg (Amanda) Dunn, Jr., Dr. Robert (Dr. Leslie) Dunn, Alex (Joelle) Cowden, Hannah (Jordan) Lenz, Samuel (Dr. Breanne) Cowden, Scott Cowden, Eric Cowden, Courtney (Brian) Gray, Matthew (Jess) Law, and Daniel (Lauren) Law; and 13 great-grandchildren, Riley and Erin Dunn, Emmett and Graham Dunn, Evelyn, Jeremiah and Brynn Cowden, Violet and Jack Lenz, Porter Gray, Madison, Carter and Reagan Law. Deceased are twin daughters, Ruth and Robin Cowden, who died at birth, and siblings, Ila Snyder, Alvin Cowden, Joseph L. Cowden, Jr., William Cowden, Lois King, Belva White, Evelyn Athey, and Nancy Schmidt. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Upper Ten Mile Presbyterian Church, Change for Change Fund, 25 Church Lane, Prosperity, PA 15329. Friends will be received on Wednesday, May 18th, from 10 a.m. till 12 p.m., the time of service, in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, with Cody Rogers officiating. Burial will follow in Prosperity Cemetery. Military rites will be accorded graveside by American Legion Edwin Scott Linton Post 175.