Curtis Wayne Fowler, 79, lifetime Massey-Ferguson Implement Dealer and Jefferson County farmer, passed away peacefully at his home at rural Ina, IL, Tuesday morning, July 12, 2016, with his wife of 57 years by his side. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Friday, July 15, 2016, at New Hope Free Will Baptist Church, rural Ina, IL with Bro Jason Newell and Bro Craig Smith officiating. Friends may call at Johnston Funeral Home, Ina, IL between the hours of 5 and 8 p.m. Thursday, July 14, 2016 and at the church on Friday from 8:30 a.m. until the funeral hour. Burial will be at Hope Cemetery.
Curtis and his three brothers began working at their dad’s farm store when they were in high school in the early 1950’s and Curtis continued the business for 40 years until they closed the store and he moved the parts business to his home. Fowler’s store was always the gathering place for farmers to swap tales and pocket knives and his new shop had once again become the gathering place for farmers, family and friends.
He was a deacon of New Hope Free Will Baptist Church and served his church and community well. He loved farm auctions and his greatest joy was to bring home a prized Massey tractor or combine.
He was born on January 18, 1937, the third son of Fred F Fowler and Nijel Pauline (Cockrum) Fowler. He married Brenda Lee (Joy) Fowler on September 2, 1958.
He is survived by his wife, Brenda Lee Fowler of Ina, a daughter, Joy Schroeder and husband Marc of Mt. Vernon, son Curtis Wayne, Jr of Ina, son Michael Todd Fowler and wife Laurie (Hatton) of Ewing; eight grandchildren, Candice McCoy and husband Jim of Mt. Vernon, Derek Hamilton of Chicago, Matthew Hamilton of Mt. Vernon, Sarah Fae Stuehlmeyer and husband Chad of Mt. Vernon, Matthew Schroeder and wife LaToya of Bloomington, IL, C. W. Fowler III and Shannon Marquis of Ina, Courtney DeVol and husband David of Windsor, CA, and Lacey Moffitt and husband Mark of Ina; thirteen great grandchildren, Madelyn and Macy McCoy, Emily and Bradyn Hamilton, Hannah and Leah Stuehlmeyer, Kendyl, Isaac and Micah Schroeder, Hadleigh and Massey Fowler, Harpoole Marquis, and Asher DeVol; three brothers, Hugh Dale Fowler and wife Roberta, Fred Gale Fowler and wife Sharon, Keith Deon Fowler and wife Loretta, all of Ina; and a host of family and friends including his wife’s family, his cousins, nieces, nephews, his church family, his auction buddies, neighbors and customers.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Nijel Fowler, and his wife’s parents, Allen and Freda Joy.
For those who wish to do so, memorials may be made to Hope Cemetery Association, 17336 E. Franklin Rd, Ewing, IL 62836 or will be accepted at the funeral home. Johnston Funeral Home of Ina, IL is in charge of arrangements.
