John Henry Gowing, son of Wesley Con Gowing and Annie Verne (McPeek) Gowing was born on August 19, 1919, in Fremont County, Iowa. He passed away on Thursday, August 17, 2006, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska.

At the age of sixteen, John graduated from Shenandoah High School. He then began a plumbing apprenticeship under his uncle, C. B. Gowing. John received his Iowa State plumbing license in 1940. From January 1942 to August 1943, John was employed as a plumber at an Army base in Argentia, Newfoundland. On August 19, 1943, John was united in marriage to Eldora Almquist of Essex. To this union were born five girls, Janet, Jo Ann, Mary Beth, Sally and Jane. He enlisted in the U. S. Navy SEABEES in August 1943 serving in the Southwest Pacific on several islands, the last being Okinawa. He received his discharge in December of 1945. He returned to Shenandoah and established a plumbing business for the next 40 years. He retired in 1985 and sold his business to Bill Ditmars, a longtime employee.

He was a longtime member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church. John served on numerous committees, including the building committee for the construction of the church in 1966. He was a 50-year member of the Shenandoah Kiwanis Club. John was a 62-year member of the American Legion Post #88 and a 34-year member of the Shenandoah Fire Department, having served as Assistant Fire Chief. He volunteered his services to the Page County Selective Service Board (from 1961 until the closing of the local draft board in 1976), Habitat for Humanity and the Community Food Pantry. He received the Southwest Iowa Small Business Award in 1982. In retirement he enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing and spending time with family and friends.

Preceding John in death were his parents; daughter, Sally Gowing; brothers, Max and Bob Gowing; and sisters, Genevieve Thompson, Wilma Reed and Mary Johnson. Survivors include his wife, Eldora; four daughters, Janet England and husband Charles of Oneonta, NY, Jo Ann Weir and husband Bradley of Wadsworth, IL, Mary Beth Gowing of Sidney, IA, and Jane Gowing and husband Robert Agan of Denver, CO; four grandchildren, Eli and Valerie England of Oneonta, NY, Jeff Weir and wife Liz of Antioch, IL, and John Weir of Richmond, VA; two great grandchildren, Aidan and Avery Weir of Antioch, IL; sister-in-law, Madge Gowing; other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services were held on Monday, August 21, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Shenandoah. Words of comfort were given by Pastor Ron Nelson. Mary Beth Gowing and Janet England performed a hymn medley before the service. Organist was Steve Richardson and vocalist was Dr. Charles Peterson. The congregation sang "For The Beauty Of The Earth" and "For All The Saints". Casket bearers were Ken Carlsen, Bill Nance, Ron Oestmann, Gary Beggs, Tom Johnson, Bill Ditmars, C. N. (Newt) Heaton and Jim Richardson. Honorary casket bearers were "all of John's friends". Attending the memory register were Loreen Burrichter and Ella McClintock. Caring for the flowers were Amy Fick and Mary Alice Johnson. Ushers were Dean Carper and John Walter. The flag was presented by the Shenandoah American Legion Post #88 Honor Guard. Interment was in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Shenandoah. Memorials are being directed to the Emmanuel Lutheran Church or to the Shenandoah Public Library. The Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.