William Delbert, “J.R.” Rowan, Jr., age 82, of Elkins, passed away Friday morning, February 19, 2016, at Davis Medical Center Emergency Department in Elkins.
Born April 27, 1933, at Mabie, he was a son of the late William Delbert Rowan, Sr. and Ava Kittle Rowan.
On April 21, 1978, in Marlinton, he married Martha Irene Doyle Rowan, who survives near Elkins.
Mr. Rowan was a United States Army Veteran. He was employed as an electrician prior to his retirement. He was of the Methodist faith. He was a member of the National Rifle Association and an avid gun collector.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Kathy Buckner; a daughter-in-law, Judith Lea Rowan; and a brother-in-law, Arden Krafft.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons, Shane Michael Rowan, and wife, Mary Ann, of Jimtown, Steven Michael Rowan, and wife, Connie, of Mabie, and Keith Edward Shoemaker, and companion, Rhonda Edmond, of Mingo; seven daughters, Michelle Nutter, and husband, Todd, of Jimtown, Tammy Caloccia, and husband, Dirk, of Dunmore, Suzette Rexrode, and husband, Mike, of Petersburg, Sandra Mick, and husband, Dan, of Weston, Loretta Keller, and companion, Joel Kuntz, of Gainsville, Georgia, Stacey McCartney, and husband, Ronnie, of Jane Lew, and Amy Jo Smith, and husband, Brad, of Norton; a brother, Robert Lee Rowan, and wife, Pearl, of Overton, Texas; a brother-in-law, Maurice Buckner; a sister, Barbara Ann Krafft, of Jarvisville; 33 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren.
Funeral service was February 23 at Tomblyn Funeral Home Chapel in Elkins with Pastor Terry Cannon officiating. Interment was in the Mingo Cemetery with full Military Honors conducted by members of the West Virginia National Guard Honor Guard Program, H. W. Daniels Post 29 American Legion and Tygart Valley Post 3647 Veterans of Foreign War.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, Ohio Valley Affiliate, West Virginia Region, PO Box 12110, Charleston, WV 25302.
Online condolences may be made at www.tomblynfunearlhome.com
