Edra "Ed" Bowers, 85, transitioned to his Heavenly home on January 21, 2025. He always half-jokingly told people that his mother didn't give him a middle name because "his first name was bad enough." His young grandson decided to share his middle name as a Christmas gift one year, so after that Ed informally adopted the name Edra Hunter Bowers.

Ed was born on November 27,1939 in Glady, WV. He grew up in Valley Head, WV, and graduated in 1959 from Tygarts Valley High School in Mill Creek, WV. He then moved to Ohio and was a resident of Elyria most of his life. He retired from General Motors in 1991 after 30 years of service.

Several years ago, when asked what he enjoyed as he looked back over his life, he immediately replied with a laugh, "wine, women, and song…especially women." Those who knew him best would consider that pretty accurate, but would change it slightly to beer, women, old country music, and Elvis songs. The truth though is that his children and grandchildren were his greatest joy and source of pride. The abundance of love he had for his children was evident by his absolute devotion to their wellbeing. He was present for them in every way a father could be, even beyond what could ever be expected. Ed loved to tell jokes and was happiest when he was making people laugh. He continued to joke and make funny faces at his nurses and family during his final days. He enjoyed hiking on wooded trails and was walking seven miles per day in the Metro Parks up until he reached his eighties. His other favorite activities included playing cards with his siblings, traveling to West Virginia with his children and grandchildren, admiring the beauty of nature such as mountains and flowers, watching wild animals especially deer and birds, and enjoying many beloved pets throughout his life. He was a member of the UAW Local 780 retirees and the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #431 for many years.

Ed is survived by his three children who were his pride and joy, Michelle (Dewey) Bogle of Vermilion, Kenneth (Alison) Bowers of Owosso, Michigan, and Jeremy (Tara) Bowers of Clio, Michigan; 14 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a former spouse, mother of his children, and life-long friend Catherine Choma (nee Linden), and his brother Huey Bowers of Orlando, Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents Luella and Harry Bowers Sr.; siblings Harriet Mathes, Paul "Pete" Bowers, Harry Bowers Jr., Esther Kegley, and Ruth and Hansel Bowers who both passed away very young; and his first-born grandchild; Richard Bogle.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, February 15, 2025 at Laubenthal-Mercado Funeral Home, 38475 Chestnut Ridge Road, Elyria, OH. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m., followed by a funeral service at noon. The family will gather in Elkins, WV, over the Memorial Day weekend for a shared burial with two of his brothers in a plot next to their parents. Memorial contributions can be made to CurePSP.org to aid in research and provide services to families that are dealing with the rare condition of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy which Ed suffered from, or to the American Cancer Society in honor of his siblings.  Online condolences to the family may be expressed at www.laubenthalmercado.com