Source: http://hosting-24297.tributes.com/show/Calvin-D.-Fowler-93922381

Calvin D. Fowler
July 7, 1924 - June 4, 2012

Calvin D. Fowler of Moline, Illinois, left his earthly life for his home in Heaven on Monday, June 4, 2012. He passed as he lived, with dignity and grace, wrapped in the love of his Savior, his family, his friends, and the caring staff of Amber Ridge Memory Care, who made his homegoing a peaceful affair. Special thanks to Pastor Ed and Sheila Kuriscak for ministering to Calvin and his family during his last hours.

Calvin was born in Lancaster, Texas, on July 7, 1924, one of Hugh and Sudie (DeMasters) Fowler's 18 children. He served honorably as a United States Marine in the South Pacific during World War II. Upon his discharge he returned to Arkansas where he met Marjorie Nell Gambrell. It was love at first sight, and they married on April 27, 1946, after only a three-month courtship. After Nell's passing in 2001, he married the second love of his life, Mary Colburn Fowler, on September, 25, 2002.

After a brief period of farming in Arkansas, Calvin and Nell moved to Moline, Illinois, where he worked for John Deere for 31 years as a welder and later as an overhead crane operator. He retired in 1982 to become a full-time grandfather, babysitter, and playmate for his first grandson, Sam, and later for his other grandchildren, Dan and Johanna. They were the joy of his life, and he set a constant example of love and Christian manhood for them to follow. He truly walked the walk of faith that he loved to read about in the Scriptures.

There will be no visitation or funeral. Calvin believed that funerals are for the dead, and he has never been more alive than he is today, relieved of physical pain and the prison of Alzheimer's disease. Serving others was second nature to Calvin, so in lieu of flowers or other expressions of sympathy, the family invites you to honor his life with a donation to Family Resources, Davenport, Iowa, or to Alternatives for the Older Adult, Moline, Illinois.

Calvin's loved ones who went before him include his wife, Nell, an infant son Calvin Fowler, Jr., a brother, and several sisters.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; a daughter, Nanelle Norcross of Moline; grandchildren, Samuel (Heidi) Norcross of Moline, Daniel Norcross of Boardman, Ohio, and Johanna Norcross of Moline; two great granddaughters, Allison and Emma; and three local brothers, Jack (Louise) Fowler, Gene (Earlene) Fowler, and Frank (Marty) Fowler, Colona.

It not only takes a village to raise a child but also to help a family cope with the stresses of caring for an Alzheimer's patient. Heartfelt thanks to Calvin's Butterworth friends, his Edgewood Baptist Church family, the entire staff of Amber Ridge Memory Care, Beacon of Hope Hospice nurse Helen, and especially to family friend and “go-to-guy” Kevin Babbitt.

Online condolences may be left for the family by visiting his obituary at www.esterdahl.com.