Elwood Bowen

Elwood Bowen of 8133 East Loop Road, Jimersontown, New York returned to his Creator on Wednesday, April 1, 2008, at his home surrounded by the love of his family. Born on March 10, 1924 on the Allegany Indian Reservation at Coldspring, N.Y. Son of Francis and Bertha (Buck) Bowen. He was a grandson of Esther (Fatty) Wellman Bowen, and Augustus Acsah (Logan) Buck.

At the time of his mother's death, Elwood was five years old. He was nurtured through the remainder of his childhood by his great-grandfather Samual "Oak" Fatty, his paternal aunts Phoebe "Delo" Jimerson Eckman and Lorenza Gordon Johnny-John and his paternal uncle Johnson Jimerson and his maternal uncle Albert Jones.

He was a member of the Seneca Nation of Indians, the Snipe Clan, was the Direct descendent of Chief Cornplanter, resided on the Cornplanter Grant for approximately 18 years, and he resided with his niece, Becky Bowen for the past twenty years. Mr. Bowen was an avid bingo player, enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, digging wild onions and leeks in the spring. He was fondly devoted to his nieces and nephews.

Elwood resided at and was educated at the Thomas Indian School for several years. As a teenager, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and was stationed at Mechanicsville, N.Y. (Camp Albany) where he was trained to be a fire fighter.

At the age of eighteen years old, Elwood enlisted in the U.S. Army and served with Company C, 415th Regt. 104th Infantry Division, "Timberwolves", from 1942 - 1945. Stationed at Glasgow, Scotland and Swan Sea, South Wales and Falmoth, England. Landed on Utah Beach on Normandy on D-Day. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, WWII Victory Medal; the European, African, Middle Eastern Campaign medal; Army of Occupation at Germany Medal; Warrior Medal of Valor from the Native American Iroquois Veterans Association on November 11, 2006; Defender of Mother Earth Award from the Seneca Nation of Indians.

Mr. Bowen was employed by the Erie County Railroad for several years, he was a Co-operator of the Niagara Falls Tourist Information Station at Ellicottville, New York for many years. Prior to his retirement he was employed by the Seneca Nation of Indians Department of Buildings for several years.

Surviving are: One brother, Ralph (Delores) Bowen, Steamburg, New York, 2 nieces, Becki Bowen, Jackie (Guy Patterson) Bowen, both of Steamburg, New York; 2 nephews, Dennis (Alita) Bowen Sr., Tuba City, Az.,Winifred (Aline) Bowen, Salamanca, New York; 2 stepsons, Merwin (Sandra) Maybee, Jimersontown, NY, Ronald (Barbara) Bowen, Randolph, NY; 1 sister-in-law, Marcella Bowen, Salamanca, NY; 1 niece-in-law, Janis Jacobs Bowen, Jimersontown, NY; several great-great nieces and nephews; and many cousins.

He was predeceased by, infant sister, Lucelle Bowen, 2 brothers, Leslie Bowen, Acel Joseph Bowen and one nephew Duwayne "Deuce" Bowen.

Viewing will be held on Thursday, April 3, 2008 from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at which time funeral services will be conducted at the O'Rourke & O'Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, New York with Winifred Bowen,nephew, pastor of the Red House Memorial Chapel officiating.

Burial will be in Memorial Heights Cemetery, Jimersontown, New York.

E condolences can be sent to john@ororuke-ororuke.com