Camping with The Mellanders

My Grandpa Cowley passed away yesterday. I have countless memories of spending time with my Grandpa growing up, which have all been running through my head non stop for the past two days. I used to go to my Grandparents house in Rochester for weeks at a time, while they were working at the Gospel Tabernacle (or “the misson” as we called it). My Grandpa was a great man who devoted his life to serving the Lord, and I will miss him deeply.

Here is is obituary, as it appears in Friday’s Erie Times News.

Rev. Richard C. Cowley, age 83, died Wednesday, October 4, 2006 at the Hamot Medical Center. He resided in North East Township. He was born in Erie, September 28, 1923, son of the late Grant F. & Louise Ecker Cowley.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years Martha M. Lappel Cowley a son Charles Dolan & his wife Yong Cha of Rochester, N.Y. a daughter Rebecca J. Mellander & her husband Timothy of Endicott, N.Y., a sister Alberta Burkholder of Erie, three grandchildren James Dolan, Micah Mellander & his wife Erin and Joshua Mellander. He is also survived by twin great-grandsons Lukas & Nicholas Mellander. He was preceded in death by a daughter Bonnie Sue Cowley.

Richard graduated from Baptist Bible Seminary in 1944. He was pastor of the Carmel Baptist Church in Mosiertown, Pa. the Niobe Baptist Church in Niobe, N.Y., the Fernwood Baptist Church Fernwood, N.Y. and was Pastor of the Gospel Tabernacle Inner City Family Mission, Rochester, N.Y. for 28 years. He served in Philadelphia & West Springfield Pa. retiring in 1990. He served in 5 Interim Ministries in Northwest, Pa. Richard founded the Rochester Institute of Christian Education in Rochester, N.Y. He was a board member and member of the Lakeshore Railroad Society in North East, Pa. He worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad while attending college. Richard was an avid woodworker.

Friends may call at the G. R. Bailey Funeral Home, 4396 Iroquois Ave. Lawrence Park, Friday from 6 until 8 p.m. A funeral service will be conducted Saturday morning at 11 a.m. at the Crossroads Community Baptist Church with Rev. Donald Girdwood officiating. Private Interment Laurel Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family request memorials be made to the Judson Baptist Camp, Box 65, 398 Holiday Road, N. Springfield, PA 16430-0065. Sign the guestbook at GoErie.com.