Robert "Blackie" Bowen

Robert "Blackie" Bowen,81 of Island City died at his home Aug. 1.

A military memorsial service will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday at the American Legion Hall, 301 Fir St. in La Grande. Chaplain Bob Chapelle will officiate.

Blackie was born on Feb. 1, 1926, to John and Alberta Mills Bowen in Riverton, Wyo. He served in the Navy from 1942 to 1945. He married Betty Bretz of Nyssa, Idaho, on June 20, 1950, in Winnemucca, Nev. blackie was a member of Operating Engineers Local 701 in Portland and Local 370 in Spokane. He was a 40-year member of the Eagles club and American Legion in La Grande.

He loved playing pool with his buddies in La Grande and enjoyed having hamburgers at the Legion on Tuesdays with his wife and friends. Blackie also loved to make pool cues in his shop.

Blackie is survived by his wife, Betty Bretz Bowen; his children, Mike and Marilyn Bowen of Elgin, Dan and Honour Bowen, Susan and Delmer Hanson, and Rick and Tina Bowen, all of La Grande and Jerry Bowen of Salem, 12 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, siblings and their spouses, Jack and Vivian Bowen of Pendleton, Bernice Cleaver of Hermiston and Bill and Marguerite Bowen of St. Maries, Idaho.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Grande Ronde Hospice in care of Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St., La Grande, 97850.