John L. Bower, 71, of 1115 E. Chestnut St., a retired school teacher, died this morning December 28, 1974 at Richland Memorial Hospital.

Mr. Bower was born in Richland County.

He started teaching school in 1924 and taught a total of 44 years, except for a short time when he re-entered college to earn his masters degree. Most of his teaching career was spent at Olney Township High School (later East Richland High School) where he joined the faculty in 1934 and retired in 1968. He taught science and mathematics.

He was united in marriage with Helen Parker in Danville Aug. 21, 1930.  Mr. Bower was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Olney.

Surviving are his wife, Helen; three sons, Norman of Olney, Melvin of Carbondale and John M. of Pittsburgh, Pa.; a brother, Everett Bower of Newton; a sister, Mrs. Hazel Dell Hall of Buckley, Wash.; an aunt, Mrs. Hazel Bower Dosher of San Diego, Calif.; six grandchildren; a niece and a nephew.

Services at the First Presbyterian Church in Olney with Pastor David McNabb officiating with burial in Haven Hill Cemetery.

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL)