Samuel Leonard “Len” Bowers, 87 of Etruria Street, East Liverpool, OH died on Saturday, June 6, 2009 at the Nentwick Convalescent Center following a brief illness. He was born in East Liverpool on June 21, 1921, a son of the late Samuel Francis and Georgetta Allison Bowers.

Living his entire life in this area, he drove truck for Yelp Services for 17 years before retiring. He was a 1941 graduate of East Liverpool High School and a member of St. Stephens Episcopal Church.

Serving with the US Navy, Len was a veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He was wounded but survived the sinking of the USS DeHaven DD-469 on Feb 1, 1943.

He was a life member of the VFW Post 66, American Legion Post 374, DAV John W. Covert Chapter 47, US Naval Institute, USS Forrestal Association, the Tin Can Sailors, and honored member of the USS DeHaven Sailors Association. Len was also active with the Tri State Burial Group. He was a Car Barn Heathen, a Mason with the Riddle and Blue Lodge as well as Scottish Rite, Valley of Steubenville.

His wife, Ruth Ann Johnson Bowers survives him at home. They were married on March 4, 1978.

Three daughters: Carolyn Moore and her husband, Butch of Chester, WV, Jane Ann Russell and her husband, Dave of East Liverpool and Debra Wilson and her husband, Jeff of East Liverpool; one step son: James Biro of East Liverpool; three step daughters: Penny Sue Tennant and her husband, Richard of Brave, PA, Candy Lynn Biro of East Liverpool and Teresa Ann Brown of Pittsburgh, PA; one brother: Virgil Brooks of Florida; one sister: Barbara Shestina of Cleveland, OH; one brother in law: John F. “Jack” Johnson of East Liverpool; twelve grandchildren: Melissa Cheuvront and her husband, Tom, Bryan Moore, Dennis Russell, Jason Russell and Josh Russell, David Bowers, Mary Reed, Amie Forbes, Jeffry Wilson, Ryan Wilson, Cory Wilson and Destiny Wilson; six step grandchildren: Angela Costella, Brandi Wolfe, Terri Haney, Tabitha Cehrs, Joanna Cehrs-Stevens and Samuel Brown as well as eighteen great grandchildren and six step great grandchildren survives him.

Besides his parents, three sons: Charles F. Bowers, Steven Leonard Bowers and David Bruce Bowers; one brother: Ernie Brooks and one sister: Loretta Cubberly preceded him in death.