Walter Joseph Rowe

Walter Joseph Rowe, age 91 of Britton, passed away on May 7, 2015, at ProMedica Bixby Hospital surrounded by his family. He was born on August 7, 1923, in Petersburg, Mich., the son of Earlie and Goldie (Harvey) Rowe. He married the mother of their 12 children Lucille Pant in August of 1946 and she preceded him in death in 1985. He later married Verna (Furgason) Cramer on September of 1986 and she preceded him in death on July 23, 2009.Walter was a lifelong farmer in Britton, where he and his wife raised their children. He also worked as a line worker for several years for Tecumseh Products. Walter was a member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Tecumseh and enjoyed reading the Bible daily. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing Euchre and spending time with his friends at the Senior Center. Walter held a special passion for music, playing various instruments in the band Country Heartaches. Walter’s greatest joy in life was his family and in the past several years enjoyed living with his children and getting to know his grandchildren. He will be greatly missed.Walter is survived by his children Bob (Marylou) Rowe of Clinton, Les (Jackie) Rowe of Saline, John (JoAlice) Rowe of Melvindale, Bill Rowe of Tecumseh, Teresa (Sam) Bates of Manitou Beach, Nick (Trudy) Rowe of Dundee, Sharon (Phil) Servoss of Tecumseh, Becky (Jeff) Sears of Tecumseh, Brad (Deb) Rowe of Blissfield, Connie (Karl) Brown of Tecumseh, Pam (Greg) Fanslau of Tecumseh and Gordy Rowe of Ypsilanti; step sons Will (Nancy) Cramer of Osseo and Lionel (Sue) Cramer of Pittsford; 34 grandchildren, 43 great -grandchildren and two great-great- grandchildren; brothers Don (Mary) Rowe of Summerfield and Jim (Pat) Rowe of Grayling. Walter was preceded in death by his parents, his wives Lucille and Verna, grandchildren Anne Marie Rowe and Logan (Bates) Guthery and a grandson-in-law Eddy Jones.A memorial visitation will be held on Thursday, May 14, from 4-8 p.m. at the Tecumseh Chapel of Handler Funeral Homes. A memorial mass to celebrate Walter’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 15, at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, with the Rev. Fr. Daniel Wheeler as celebrant. The family will receive friends on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of mass. Inurnment of cremated remains will follow at Lenawee Hills Memorial Gardens, Tecumseh. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Walter’s honor to the Hospice of Lenawee. Condolences and words of comfort may be given to the family by visiting www.handlerfuneralhomes.com.