Oct. 14, 1920 — May 5, 2015

Earnest Fowler, Sr. 94, of Niles, passed away on Tuesday, May 5, 2015, at Lakeland Community Hospital, Niles.

Earnest was born on Oct. 14, 1920, to the late James and Jennie Fowler in Clarksdale, Mississippi. On Aug. 18, 1941, he married Dorothy Fowler at a ceremony in Caruthersville, Missouri. Earnest was a United States Navy veteran and was honorably discharged in 1945. Earnest started at Clark Equipment Company in 1952 and retired in 1980. In 1966 he became a member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Ray Naboris. Earnest enjoyed listening to B.B King and Al Green and singing and humming his music. Earnest was a great comedian and always had a great joke to tell. His greatest joy in life was to make someone laugh. A special thank you to special friends/family; David Reid (grandson, for the special care,) Joe Miller and all of his other porch friends.

He is survived by his children, Earnest (Deborah) Fowler, Ruby Smith and Leonard Fowler, 39 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.

Earnest is preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Fowler in 2003; children, James Fowler, Bruce Fowler, Marilyn Fowler and Emma Kelly; parents, James and Jennie; brothers, James and Hayward; sister, Ruby Fowler and two grandchildren, Duane Reid and Joyce Marie.

Funeral Services will begin at noon Monday, May 11, 2015, at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, Niles. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service from 11 a.m. to noon. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan. Online condolences may be made at www.hovenfunerals.com