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Gephart Funeral Home - Bay City

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Bay City, Michigan

Garand Rowell Obituary

ROWELL, JR. GARAND F. "ROCKY" Bay City, MI Rocky passed away late Friday evening, June 21, 2013 at Aleda E. Lutz V.A. Medical Center in Saginaw, MI, at the age of 57 years. Rocky was retired from the U.S. Army. He served during the Vietnam Conflict and was stationed in Ft. Benjamin Harrison in Indiana and Ft. Wainwright, Alaska. Rocky was a member of the D.A.V., AMVETS Post # 22 and the Eagles Club of Bay City Aries #1010 where he ran the bingos for several years for these organizations. He enjoyed playing bingo, singing karaoke and listening to music. He is survived by his mother, Shirley Osterhout; four children, Rocky, Scott, Janelle and Samantha Rowell; four grandchildren, Connor, Cadence, Chloe and Colton; two brothers and one sister-in-law, John and Bonnie Rowell of Tawas City, MI and Scott Rowell of Bay City; one sister and brother-in-law, Lisa and Rob Yacks of Bay City; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Garand F. Rowell Sr.; his step-father, Albert Osterhout and his sister, Sherry Rowell. At Rocky's request, cremation has taken place. Private inurnment will take place in Oak Ridge Cemetery. There will be no visitation or services at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. Those planning and expression of sympathy may wish to consider donations to a charity of your choice. www.gephartfuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Bay City Times from Jun. 24 to Jun. 25, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Garand Rowell

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Donna (Van Pelt)Taylor

July 1, 2013

Elizabeth Street Gang. Hide & Seek. Fun. Good memories of us all. Our condolences on Rocky's passing. Donna (Van Pelt)Taylor, Ron & Bill Van Pelt and our families. God Bless you all. xo

June 27, 2013

Aunt Shirley, John, Scott and Lisa-
Rocky will be greatly missed by all and always remembered. I am sad but happy for Rocky, at last he is free to run, walk and live pain free again in heaven. Love you all, Cousin Jill

June 26, 2013

Aunt Shirley, John, Scott, Lisa and Family. We are so very sorry that your hearts are hurting. May you all find strength and comfort from the thoughts and prayers from your family and friends. Rocky will forever be thought of as a good man, an honored veteran and a wonderful Cousin. Sending our love and sympathy to each of you.
Uncle Jim and Kathleen Osterhout

jack and leann przeslak

June 26, 2013

sorry for your loss our prayers are with you and your families

Tom & Alice (Green) Gaertner

June 25, 2013

Rocky was a Great man!Sending our Deepest Sympathies to you all!

Denise Janczewski

June 25, 2013

Aunt Shirley, John, Scott and Lisa you all have our deepest sympathy. You are in our thoughts and our prayers. Will always cherish the memories of growing up together as cousins. God Bless and all our love.
Denise and Thomas Janczewski
Higgins Lake, MI

Kelly Sayen

June 25, 2013

I am so sorry for your loss - Rocky was the best! I miss his happy face at Karaoke when I used to DJ at the Eagles Club.

June 25, 2013

so sorry Janelle and Samantha and Janet and rest of the family members for your great loss... please know our prayers are with all of you at this most saddest of times.. Paul and Linda Strohpaul.

Cindy O'Neil-Heaphy

June 24, 2013

To the Family and Friends of Rocky. I'm so sorry for your lost. My heart aches knowing that my friend has passed and now his family has to bear the pain of losing him. I went to high school at Bay City Central with Rocky and his brother John. I was just looking at his picture that I had take of him at age 16. I emailed my friend and asked about him last week, we both were shocked and saddened by his passing. He was one of the nicest friend to me. We use to laugh and talk for hours when we were both young. His one wish he told me is that he wanted to have a family and I see he had received that blessing and also grandchildren. He spoke so well of his family. It has been a honor to know him. I hope you all find peace and know that for him, time will be a blink of an eye and all of us will be joining him in heaven. I will keep you all in my prayers.

June 24, 2013

Lisa and Rob, I'm so sorry. Thinking of you. Katie Prall

Robert Horner

June 24, 2013

Shirley you have our deepest sympathy. I know how much it must hurt to lose one of your children. He is in a better place where God will look out for him now. RIP Rocky

Jennifer & Jody Julian

June 24, 2013

rocky was a great person. he endured alot and is no longer in any pain and is at god's side free of pain and able to move freely again. you are all in our thoughts and prayers.

Cheryl Christilaw (Cunningham)

June 24, 2013

Dear John & Family: My heartfelt sympathy to your entire family. While the link is broken, Rocky's legacy lives on in our hearts and in our memories. Rocky and I were high school friends and socialized off-site as well. I will miss him but am grateful that he is now at peace and pain-free. A toast to you my friend. You are my hero.

Donna Beard

June 24, 2013

Heartfelt sympathy to the entire family. Have not seen Rocky in ages but I do remember all the neighborhood girls having a crush on him years ago. He will be missed

Cliff Houser

June 24, 2013

Rest in Peace brother.

The Staff of Gephart Funeral Home

June 24, 2013

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.

John Hartman

June 23, 2013

Rocky was a great photographer and a great human being. His illnes was not fair and he suffered greatly. He is finally at peace, walking, running and enjoying found body. You will be missed by many Rocky.

June 23, 2013

To all of you in your time of sorrow, remember ''ROCKY'' would just like for you's to go about your every day life, for he is now in a better place and looking down upon all of us. God bless!
Maureen Lynch

Peggie Kovar

June 23, 2013

To the Rowell, Osterhout, Yacks family, you are in our thoughts, prayers & hearts..now & always.
Love from Peggie & family

Ron & Linda Przeslak

June 23, 2013

To Rocky's whole family. We are truly sorry for your loss, Rocky was such a great guy. Loved playing bingo with him and rummy tiles during halftime. We played lots of canasta too, he loved his games. Love to you all and prayers for your broken hearts.....
Ron and Linda Przeslak

Gary Davis

June 23, 2013

Words somehow do not do a life justice. Rocky you always were and will be missed. Thanks for the memories. God Bless my friend!

mary knapp

June 23, 2013

to the family of rocky,our thoughts are with you scott and your family he is at peace now, take care. the knapp family (kathys parents)

Terri Vanderlooven

June 23, 2013

Aunt Shirley .. John .. Scott and Lisa .. Our sincere condolences to you all ... If there is any peace to be found in this is that Rocky is not suffering anymore ... He was a strong man .. a fighter and a stubborn Rowell ... Thats what got him thru all he went thru ... U should be proud of him ... He fought a hell of a battle .. Im speacking for all my sisters when i say we love u all and if there is anything that we can do for any of you ... please ask .. We loved Rocky also .. We love you all too ... He is now flying high with Sherry .. His dad Uncle Gary .. And Al .. He's not alone .. Its never good bye... Its see u later ! Always remember that . Love you all .. Rande . Jackie . Sue and Terri

kathy hewitt

June 23, 2013

to scott,and your family i am so sorry for your loss i know rocky is at peace and no more pain he will be missed and loved by all.my prayers go out to you and your family,<3

Scott Rowell

June 23, 2013

We love you big brother. I'm glad you are finally pain free again.

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201 West Midland Street, Bay City, MI 48706

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