Town of Oppenheim - Charles B. Stowell, 85, a life long town of Oppenheim resident, passed away peacefully on Christmas Eve December 24, 2016 at the St. Johnsville Nursing Home, with the love and support of his family by his side.

He was born June 15, 1931 at the homestead in Oppenheim the son of the late Cornelius and Wilhelmina (Kreiger) Stowell and was educated in Oppenheim schools.

His marriage to WilmaJ. Lawyer took place on July 9, 1952 at the Fort Plain United Methodist Church.

Mr. Stowell was a United States Marine Corps veteran, serving during the Korean Conflict. He was enlisted in 1952 and was honorably discharged in 1954 with the rank of Private First Class. 

Charlie was last employed as superintendent of highways for the Town of Oppenheim for over 10 years. Before that he worked in construction for over 35 years.

A man devoted to his family, Charlie’s life was centered around his loved ones. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, four wheeling, snowmobiling, tending to his gardens and tinkering with his tractors.

Charlie was a former Fire Chief for the Oppenheim Volunteer Fire Department, Past President of the Spike Horn Club in Oppenheim and a member of the Herkimer County Marine Corps League.

Survivors include his loving wife of 64 years, Wilma; two sons, Gerald Stowell and Valerie Claus of Oppenheim and David Stowell of Oppenheim; a sister, Alice Silvernail of Oppenheim; a brother, Douglas Stowell and Pam Lamphere of Oppenheim; six grandchildren, Jenna Smith, Jason Smith and wife Julie, Scott Stowell and wife Diane, Mindy Cover and husband Chad, Josh and Hunter Stowell; 11 great grandchildren, Lauren Smith, Reyna Hart, Andrew Smith, Hailey Smith, Caleb Stowell, Keaghan Stowell, Cole Harper, Coby Cover, Kyle Stowell, Tyler Stowell, and Gavin Stowell; and a brother – in – law, Don Bowers of Oppenheim;  and several nieces and nephews.

He was pre-deceased by a daughter, Brenda Smith on December 13, 2005; two sons, Rodney Stowell in May of 1964 and Mark S. Stowell on May 7, 2015; a sister, Annette Nourse; two brothers, William and Larry Stowell and a grandson, Todd Smith

Funeral services will be held on Friday December 30, 2016 at 11:00 am from the Vincent A. Enea Funeral Service, (next to the Masonic Lodge) 20 Bridge St., St. Johnsville, NY 518-568-7040, with Reverend Jack Ford, pastor of the Oppenheim United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will take place in the spring at Brown Cemetery, Oppenheim, NY. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday December 29, 2016 from 6-8 pm. All memorial contributions may be made to the Oppenheim United Methodist Church, c/o 13 West State Street, Dolgeville, NY 13329. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

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