Leo Lowe

Leo “Bernard” Lowe was a man with a love for life who loved teasing and joking around with those in his life. He was all about family and it was easy to see that he adored his grandchildren. Bernard enjoyed a variety of activities throughout his life but spending time gathered with his children and grandchildren always topped his list. Although Bernard’s life was not without hardship, he overcame his times of trial and each one helped shape him into the extraordinary man who was loved by so many.

During a year in which Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first President to appear on television and John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath was published, the year 1939 was a year that was largely defined by the struggles facing many American families. The Great Depression had been hampering our nation for a decade leaving families striving just to make ends meet. This was also a significant year in the family of Vernon and Irma (Giffels) Lowe since it was in this year that they greeted their son, Leo Bernard, on August 20th in St. Johns, Michigan. Leo was the youngest of nine children in his family and his father sold vegetables and fruit from a roadside stand in order to support his family. Leo, who went by Bernard or even Bull, experienced a difficult childhood as his parents were not very involved in the lives of their children leaving the children to basically raise themselves. The Lowe children had fun times together when they went swimming in Park Lake in their hometown of Bath, located just five miles north of Lansing, and Bernard enjoyed fishing and hunting from an early age as well. He attended local schools, established many friends during high school, and graduated from Bath High School.

Immediately after he graduated from high school Bernard went to work at Oldsmobile where he was able to combine his love for cars with his work. Shortly thereafter, he married a young gal named Shelia around the year 1961. Although their marriage only lasted five years, the couple was blessed with the births of two sons, Ted and David.

Life drastically changed for Bernard just a short time later when he met the love of his life in 1967. Her name was Cheryl and they met at the Hilltop Bar across from Park Lake where she loved hanging out and playing pool with her friends. There seemed to be an immediate attraction between Bernard and Cheryl and he called to ask her out on their first date the very day after that fateful introduction. They found they were truly destined for one another and it wasn’t long before Bernard took Cheryl home to meet his parents. A romance blossomed between the two and they loved spending time together. One of their favorite ways to spend time together was driving along the country roads. They had been dating for two years when Cheryl asked Bernard when they were going to get married – they married soon after she asked.

A new chapter in the lives of Bernard and Cheryl began when they became parents together to their first daughter who was later followed by another daughter and one son. Although they adored their children, the couple still found time to enjoy each other as well and made sure they continued to have good times together. Shortly after their first daughter was born they began going to the car races at Spartan Speedway in Mason. Bernard also enjoyed spending time with his children including taking them on nature walks, fairs, and several trips to Disney World and Silver Lake.

There were also some activities that Bernard enjoyed pursuing when time allowed. He liked fast cars and enjoyed restoring old cars in his garage where he also made lamps and liked drinking beer. Bernard was a bit of a nature lover who loved watching the birds and feeding them too – even the turkeys! Spending time with his family always topped his list and Bernard and Cheryl loved having big family gatherings over the holidays. He also enjoyed playing poker at his parents’ house and playing cribbage with his son Ryan and his son-in-law Randy. When his family grew to include grandchildren, nothing could have pleased Bernard more and he loved each and every one dearly. Bernard retired in 2001 and was able to spend even more time with friends and family, but his retirement years were greatly changed when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2006. Bernard’s health battles didn’t end there, however, as he was also diagnosed with lung cancer in 2008. Eventually the fight became too much for his body to overcome and he drew his last breath surrounded by his loving family.

Leo “Bernard” Lowe lived a vibrant life filled with fun, laughter, and family. He was a generous, hard-working, and loving man who viewed his family as his greatest pride and joy. Bernard was blessed to share nearly 40 years with the love of his life with whom he created an extraordinary life. He was a jokester who loved teasing and having fun with so many who were placed in his life. Bernard was a loving brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, and friend who will be so dearly missed by all those who were blessed to know him.

Leo Bernard “Bull” Lowe died on November 4, 2009. Bernard’s family includes his wife of 39 years, Cheryl; two daughters, Dawn (Randy), Tamra (Duane), and three sons, Ryan, Ted and David; his grandchildren, Brooke, Tristin, Hunter and Brianna; his two brothers, Tom and Bob; and four sisters, Lucy, Therese, Florence and Bernadine. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Don, and one sister Arlene. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at Pilgrim United Methodist Church in St. Johns, MI., with Pastor Ken Bremer officiating. Arrangements by Osgood Funeral Homes. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or photo, sign the online guestbook, or make a memorial contribution to his grandchildren, c/o Cheryl Lowe.