John Bowlin

John Robert Bob Bowlin, 88, a Great Falls auto mechanic and World War II Coast Guard veteran, died March 31 at a local hospital after a lengthy illness.Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be on Saturday, June 2, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel, 1410 13th Street South, with a reception immediately following at the Holiday Inn, 400 10th Avenue South. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.Bob was born in Great Falls on January 28, 1924 to Connie (Haag) and Lester Bowlin. He attended schools in Great Falls and graduated from Great Falls High School in 1941.Bob enlisted in the Coast Guard and completed his basic training before marrying Shirley Jean Swain, also of Great Falls, in November of 1942. He was a Seaman First Class, stationed on the Oregon coast with a dog patrol unit during WWII. He and Shirley retuned to Great Falls early in 1946 with two daughters and lived here the remainder of his life.Before entering the service, Bob was employed by Western Union, Hansen Brothers Service Station, Electric City Conservatory, Setterstead Body Shop, and Anaconda Copper Company. Upon his return from the service, he went to work for Swain's Spring Service, becoming a joint owner with his wife and Adolf Peressini in the 1980s until they sold the business in 1993.He was a member of the Boy Scouts of America, Machinist Union 1046, Great Falls Motorcycle Club, American Legion, Great Falls Stockcar Association, Montana Pioneer Classic Auto Club, and the Elks Lodge. He belonged to the Episcopalian Church while growing up and the First Presbyterian Church as an adult.He enjoyed everything mechanical and restored several antique cars. He also liked snow skiing at King's Hill, waterskiing and boating at Holter and Swan Lakes and motorcycle trail riding. Bob was a dependable, loyal, steady force in all of his endeavors and relationships. He could fix anything and everything! He will be greatly missed by his family and his friends.He is survived by his wife, Shirley; his five daughters, Terry (Jack) Vukasin of Las Vegas, Nevada, Penny (Bill) Meeks of Geraldine, Carol (Tony) Marino, Wendy (Dave Dunbar) Bowlin, and Robin (Nick) Checota, all of Missoula; his sister, Barbara (Hoby, deceased) Holbrook of Great Falls and his brother, Jerry (Colleen) Bowlin of San Antonio, Texas; his two sisters-in-law, Dorthie (Scotchie, deceased) Fullerton of Helena and Lorraine (Glen) Samuels of Great Falls; eleven grandchildren; nine greatgrandchildren; and three great-greatgrandchildren.Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Les and Mayme Bowlin and Connie and Barney Root; his nephew, Padrick Bowlin; and his great-grandson Steven Vukasin Beck.In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Skunkwagon Chapter of Montana Pioneer & Classic Auto Club, P.O. Box Box 1305, Great Falls, MT 59403, or a charity of your choice.Condolences may be left for the family at www.schniderfuneralhome.com.