Charles "Smokey" Gower

Charles M. "Smokey" Gower,77, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013 at St. Luke's Hospice House, Lower Saucon with his loving family by his side. He and his wife Florence (Bendus) Gower had been married for 54 years. Born in Allentown, Charles was the son of the late Melvin and Millie (Unger) Gower.

He had been employed at the former Western Electric for 19 years as a plant occupancy planner, Mayo Motors as a car salesman for 24 years and worked 8 years in a part time capacity for Kleckner & Son Appliance in Whitehall.

Smokey was a well known sports figure in the Lehigh Valley. Highlights of his involvement with the sporting scene include 35 years as a PIAA basketball official, 22 years as the Allentown Chapter PIAA rules interpreter and being recognized in 1992 with the Allentown Recreation Commission Award for participation in city recreation programs. He also coached youth baseball for the East Side Memorial League in Allentown and was an avid bowler and fast pitch softball player. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Marine Corp, having served aboard the USS New Jersey.

Smokey will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Florence, sons Matthew Gower and his wife Kelly of Macungie and Michael Gower and his wife Sheila Yudt-Gower of Northampton, daughters Donna wife of Victor Laczo II of Salisbury Twsp., Dee Gower of Bethlehem, and Patricia wife of LeRoy Steidinger with whom Smokey and Florence reside in Bethlehem. Also surviving is a sister Dolores Farber of Allentown, 9 grandchildren, Stephanie, Stacy, Aubrey, Justin, Ava, Gabriel, Madison, Jake and Jose and 3 great grandchildren, Antonio, Jessenia and Olivia.

Funeral services Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013 at 11:30am in the Connell Funeral Home, 245 E. Broad St., Bethlehem, visitation from 10:00am -11:30am. Burial with full military honors will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Allentown.

Please direct memorial contributions in Smokey's name to U.S. Marine Toys for Tots, 3045 Avenue B., Bethlehem, 18017 or to St. Luke's Hospice Development Office, 801 Ostrum St., Bethlehem, 18015.



Cemetery
Cedar Hill Memorial Park
1740 Airport Rd.
Allentown PA 18103
US

Visitation
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Connell Funeral Home, Inc.
245 East Broad St.
Bethlehem PA 18018
US
610-868-8531

Service
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
11:30 AM
Connell Funeral Home, Inc.
245 East Broad St.
Bethlehem PA 18018
US
610-868-8531

Funeral HomeConnell Funeral Home, Inc.
245 East Broad St.
Bethlehem PA - 18018
US
610-868-8531