Ernest R. Bowling

Retired Lt. Col. Ernest R. Bowling, 77, recently from South Charleston, West Virginia, died quietly Monday Aug. 3, 2015, at his home in Elizabethtown.

Bowling retired at Fort Knox in1981 after serving 20 years in the U.S. Army. He moved to South Charleston, West Virginia, and joined Bowling Sales Corporation, working alongside his father and son, Duane. Bowling Sales closed it's doors this past December, after more than 75 years in business. Having served two terms in Vietnam, as a helicopter pilot and a ranger. Bowling received the following medals: Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Air Medal, Army Commendation, National Defense Service, Vietnam Service, Armed Forces Reserve, Vietnam Gallantry Cross and Republic of Vietnam Campaign.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Jennie G. Bowling; a son, E. Rupert Bowling Jr. and his wife, Patti; a granddaughter, Melissa, of San Jose, California; a son, Duane H. Bowling and his wife, Susan; a granddaughter, Jessica Goddard and her husband, Ross; a great-granddaughter, Adaline; a granddaughter, Annie Jenkins and her husband, Adam; a great-granddaughter, Ellisyn of Rock Hill, South Carolina; a daughter, Sarah S. Hart and her husband, Steve; a grandson, Mac Lenihan; a granddaughter, Alexandra Lanz; a stepgrandson, Matthew Hart of Elizabethtown; a sister, Kennie Winter and her husband, John, of Los Altos, California, a sister, Cindy Clark and her husband, Tom, of Lexington; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service will be at a later date in South Charleston, West Virginia.

Donations to Hosparus of Central Kentucky may made or gifts by going to www.hosparus.org or calling 800-264-0521.

Condolences may be expressed at www.nebfh.com.