Estyl Nadyne Bowers

Estyl Nadyne (Cowgill) Bowers, age 98, died Feb. 7, 2016, at Oakridge of Plattsburg, MO. She was born at Hamilton, to Vilas Samuel and Jennie Mae (Todd) Cowgill in 1917. She grew up on farms mostly around Cowgill, and attended grade schools at Liberty Eagle, Cowgill Elementary, and Cottage Grove. She graduated from Cowgill High School in 1935. 

That same year, 1935, she married Grafton Diddle Bowers of Cowgill, who was a veterinary student at Kansas State College in Manhattan, KS. She helped him earn his way through college, both of them working on a ranch, Juniata Farm, north of Manhattan. After his graduation in 1938, the couple lived in Baton Rouge, LA, for three years. He served in WWII, mustering out as a Captain in 1946. During the war years, the couple lived in Fort Worth, TX, Chicago, and various places in Wisconsin. After the war, they settled in Cowgill, where Grafton practiced veterinary medicine for 25 years. 

Estyl aided her husband in his practice as a housewife and teacher of music in their home and in area schools. She was a member of Cowgill United Methodist Church, serving as a pianist/organist for fifty-plus years. She earned a B.A. in Music in 1979, and a M.A. in Music Theory and Composition in 1981, from Central Missouri State University. She was a certified member of the Missouri Music Teachers Association and the National Music Teachers Association. She accompanied various vocal groups and school music ensembles and soloists. She and Grafton played accordion and banjo with local bands and finally as just “We Two”. Estyl and Grafton were members of the Ray County Historical Society, the Caldwell County Historical Society, and the Lathrop Antique Association.

In addition to her parents, Estyl was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. G.D. Bowers; her daughter, Ellen Bowers; and her brother, Virgil Cowgill.

Survivors include one son, Samuel Mitchell (Agnes) Bowers of St. Louis; two daughters, Brenda (Forrest) Bonar of Lathrop and Charlotte (Rev. Dr. James) McCollough of Topeka, KS; ten grandchildren, Quentin Bowers, Amber Keister (Kevin), Alice Bowers (Jeff Fahrenkamp), Brian Bowers (Holly), Rachel Daniels, Kevin Bonar, Heather May (Jared), Janet Robison, Dwight McCollough (Vicki Brunson), and Andrew McCollough (Sandi McQuinton). Also surviving are family friend, Lisa McCollough, twelve great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 11, at the Cowgill United Methodist Church, with burial in the Cowgill Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. The family suggests memorial contributions be given to either the Cowgill United Methodist Church or to the Cowgill Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Park Lawn Lathrop Chapel (816) 740-4658.

(paid obituary)