Ralph Clinton Bowers

October 27, 1935 - January 4, 2019

Ralph Clinton Bowers of Lansing passed away January 5, 2019. Ralph was born October 27, 1935 in Elizabethton, Tennessee to the late Ola and Margaret (Colbaugh) Bowers. He was a decorated Marine Corp Vietnam Veteran. As a result of Ralph’s courageous efforts during the Vietnam War, he received a Bronze Star with Combat V and was also awarded a Purple Heart among several other decorations. After serving with the Marines for 22 years, Ralph retired and began a second career at the US Postal Service where he worked for another 30 years. He was a member of the Wacousta Community United Methodist Church and the 40&8 Voiture in Lansing. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Sandra K. (Shirey); sons, Retired Colonel Michael (Laurel); Benjamin (Holly) and Christopher (Krista Dittenber); grandchildren, Margaret, Elizabeth, Kathryn (Knyle) Bird, Sebastian and Felicity; daughter-in-law, Jill Bowers; brother, Larry (Sharon) and sister, Lois Williams and many nieces and nephews. Ralph was preceded in death by son, Mark. A funeral service will be held Tuesday, January 8, 2019, 11:00 a.m. at the Wacousta Community United Methodist Church with Reverend Hillary Thurston-Cox, officiating. Interment with military honors will be Wednesday at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday from 2-4:00 p.m. and 6-8:00 p.m. at the Holihan-Atkin-Barclay Funeral Home, Grand Ledge and Tuesday at the church from 10-11:00 a.m. Memorial contributions in Ralph’s name may be given to the Wacousta Community UMC, 9180 Herbison Road, Eagle, Michigan 48822(https://www.eservicepayments.com/cgi-bin/Vanco_ver3.vps?appver3=Dc8dzPGn4-LCajFevTkh9OpY-5FqHFA3dt5nnBOgyRTNb4y6ZSw7v3KSUpatyRmmW7Bjhh_IzQZ3zAB_PMpBdbo7zqy-JU_UuLu19bUbJx3hDyoLPRBCt6uNFQczkkRpk0PpduXvnt8gXUeZjQYbn5ug84X4LatDDu0UR3pkHik=&ver=3 or the Capital Area Humane Societ, 7095 W. Grand River Avenue, Lansing, Michigan 48906 (https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=cahsad&id=23) Click links above to give online.