Obituaries

March 5, 1929 to December 30, 2016

NORTH JUDSON - Ocie Rowe, 87, of Winamac passed away at 7:57 a.m., Friday, Dec. 30, at Porter Regional Hospital, Valparaiso.

He was born to the late John and Myrtle (Montgomery) Rowe, March 5, 1929 in Tip Top, Magoffin County, Ky. He married Shirley Ivadel Gibbs on Feb. 7, 1953 in Baltimore, Md.

He is survived by three brothers, Floyd Carson Rowe of Winamac, Hillard James Minix of North Judson and Bobby Ray Minix of North Judson; one sister, Hattie Campbell of North Judson; four step-children, H.L. (Buddy), Jerrold, R.L. (Larry) Wohlfarth and Sharon Parsons. He has a tremendous amount of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife Shirley of 56 years; four sisters, Opal Mann, Glenna Fay Maupin, Dixie Whitaker and Phyllis Ann Gross.

Mr. Rowe enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp, September 1944, at an early age of 15. He spent his 16th birthday in China fighting in World War II. He reenlisted and fought in the Korean War and two tours in the Vietnam War as a tank operator. In October 1967, he retired from the Marine Corp with 22 years of service and the rank of Master Sergeant E-8. He was awarded numerous medals, honors and was a recipient of three Purple Hearts. He lived in various places, including Maryland, Virginia, Arizona, California and Hawaii, while traveling extensively in his military service.

After his retirement from the military, Mr. Rowe lived mainly in Arizona, Salyersville, Ky. and spent his last four years residing with his brother, Carson, in North Judson. He was a Shriner, member of the Masonaic Lodge and a member of the American Legion. He was a Christian, saved and baptized, and a member of the Denham Freewill Baptist Church. He enjoyed Bluegrass/Country music, being with family and friends and loved to attend church and church activities. He loved his hats and his watches. He was proud of his country and what he fought for. One of the things he never left home without was his Marine Corp hat. That was the one thing that he requested be left with him at the hospital during his stays, was his hat. Two words would always bring him to tears, Semper Fi.

A gathering of family and friends will be  9 a.m. (CT), Sunday, Jan. 8, at the Denham Freewill Baptist Church, followed by an 11 a.m. (CT) memorial service. Burial will be at Highland Cemetery, North Judson, with military graveside services conducted by American Legion Post 92.

Arrangements by O'Donnell Funeral Home, North Judson.