Obituary of George Cowles

OLEAN: George W. Cowles, Sr, 81, passed away Saturday July 6, 2013 at Olean General Hospital after a brief illness. He was born December 24, 1931 in Bolivar, New York, the son of Charles Cowles and Mary Eaton Cowles Smith, and attended school in the Bolivar Central School system. On January 27, 1951 in First Baptist Church of Olean, he married the former Doris L. Gordon, who predeceased him December 3, 2002. Mr. Cowles was a machinist for Clark Brothers/Dresser Rand for 43 years, retiring in February 1994. He attained life membership in both St. Stephen's Club and the Eagles' Club, and was a social member of the Polaski Club. He enjoyed a host of activities, including playing cards, woodworking, being a handyman, and hunting; but he especially loved time spent with his family. Surviving are three daughters Deborah (Larry) McFall of Portville, Darlene (Craig) Firkel of Olean and Diane (Robert) Franz of Olean; two sons George W. (Mary) Cowles, Jr. of Olean and Gary (Teri) Cowles of Olean; ten grandchildren Jeff McFall, Jess McFall, George W. Cowles III, Joseph Cowles, Matthew Cowles, Steven Firkel, Robert Franz Jr., Deanna Jordan, Denise Myers and Danielle Cowles; eighteen great grandchildren Ashley, Shelby, Justin, Sara, Carter, George IV, Nikolas, Logan, Bryanne, Darrin, Robert III, Alex, Jacob, Jared, Jesssica, Alexandria, Aubrey, and Quentin; three sisters Doris Mitchell of Richburg, Phyllis Jean Sexton of CA, Lois (Francis) Lambert of Grand Island; many nieces, nephew and cousins. He was predeceased by his grandson William Stephen Franz. Friends may call Monday 2-4 & 7-9 PM at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 Route 417 W, Olean where Funeral Services will be held Tuesday at 11 AM with Rev. Rick Price officiating. Interment will follow in Pleasant Valley Cemetery. Contributions made to the donor's choice in his memory would be greatly appreciated.