J.R. Cowan

J.R. Cowan, age 87, of Cicero, IN died January 13, 2015 at Sheridan Rehab and Health Center. He was born December 14, 1927 at St. Charles, VA to Isaac Lee and Sarah (Tritt) Cowan. He had served his country in the U.S. Army in 1944 and 1945. He later became a member of the Cicero American Legion. J.R. had first worked in the coal mines in Virginia, then arriving in Indiana he worked as an iron molder at Noblesville Casting Company.
Striking out on his own, he and his wife became owners of Cowan & Cusick Hardware at Cicero, IN. Later they started Cowan Insurance Agency in Cicero where they worked for 26 years. He also drove a school bus for Hamilton Heights School Corporation, a job he loved. He would occasionally stop at the Dairy Queen and purchase ice cream for all the students riding his bus. J.R. was a private pilot with a commercial and an instrument rating. In the spring of the year he offered airplane rides to the students on his bus and their families. He was a member and elder of the Cicero Christian Church where he also sang in the Glory Land Quartet. Additionally, he had served on the Board of Trustees at Riverview Hospital for 16 years. He married Nancy (Cusick) Cowan on February 22, 1957. She survives him. Also surviving are two sons: Christopher Mark (Victoria) Cowan of Fishers, IN and Toby (Christine) Cowan of Cicero, IN, grandchildren: Josh Cowan, Eli Cowan, Olivia Cowan, Jake Cowan and Christopher Davey, great-grandchildren: Austin Davey and Cameron Davey, nephew: Charles Burgan along with several additional nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death in addition to his parents is a daughter: Loretta K. Cowan, a son: Donald J. Cowan and 14 siblings. Funeral services will be held at Hartley Funeral Homes, 209 West Jackson Street, Cicero, IN on Thursday, January 15, 2015 at 12:00 noon with Pastor Tim Lueking officiating. Burial will follow at Cicero Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the services. Memorial contributions may be made to Cicero Christian Church or Mephibosheth Ministry. You may send condolences at www.hartleyfuneralhomes.com. Visitation
January 15, 2015
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Hartley Funeral Home Cicero Chapel 209 W. Jackson St
Cicero, IN
(317) 984-3614 Funeral Service
January 15, 2015
12:00 PM
Hartley Funeral Home Cicero Chapel 209 W. Jackson St
Cicero, IN
(317) 984-3614 Burial
January 15, 2015
1:00 PM
Cicero Cemetery Cicero, IN