Vernon Dale Cowden

Vernon "Dale" Cowden, 91, of Center, Mo. passed away at 11:43 a.m. Wednesday, May 20, 2015, at Beth Haven Nursing Home. Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, May 22, 2015, at the Smith Funeral Home and Chapel, in Hannibal. Pastor Jason Young will officiate. Burial will be in the Center Cemetery. Visitation will be held 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service Friday, at the Smith Funeral Home and Chapel. Dale was born October 21, 1923, in Ralls County, Mo. the son of Glen and Roxie (McCollum) Cowden. He married Lois Frances Berrey on December 24, 1943, in Hannibal, Mo. She preceded him in death on September 5, 2011. Survivors include two sons, Larry D. Cowden and wife, Rhonda of Azle, Tx, and John F. "Jack" Cowden and wife, Marilyn of New London, Mo.; grandchildren, Tony (Lisa) Cowden, Chris (Angie) Cowden, Brandee (Charles) Janes, Tony (Amanda) Keifer, Darren Keifer, Shelby (Zack) Bennett, Lisa (Jody) Ketsenburg, Brent (Cindy) Cowden, Ben (Sarah) Cowden, Brian (Sarah) Boleach; nineteen great-grandchildren, one great-great-granddaughter; and one sister-in-law, Betty McClintock of Center, Mo. In addition to his parents and wife, Mr. Cowden was preceded in death by one brother-in-law, John McClintock. Dale graduated from Center High School, he went on to work as a lifelong Ralls County farmer. He enjoyed fishing, camping, flea markets, traveling, spending winters in the southern states, and spending time with family and friends especially his grandchildren. Mr. Cowden was a member of the Plain Folks Good Sams Campers Club. Dale and his wife Lois were members of the Center Methodist Church. Pallbearers will be Tony Cowden, Chris Cowden, Jody Ketsenburg, Brent Cowden, Ben Cowden and Brian Boleach. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice Promise Foundation, in care of Smith Funeral Home & Chapel. Online condolences, memories and photos may be shared on his memorial page at www.smithfuneralhomeandchapel.com