Earnest "Gunk" Bowles

Earnest “Gunk” Bowles, Jr., 90, of Greenfield, passed away on Thursday, June 21, 2018. Gunk was born in Madisonville, Kentucky on September 25, 1927 to Earnest, Sr. and Velma Bowles. He met the love of his life at an early age as they grew up together on the same street in Evansville, Indiana; he would later make Burna (Kee) Bowles his wife of seventy years. From this union came three wonderful children, Ralph, Vicki, and Robert. He was the hero and leader for his family, always guiding them to do what is right. Gunk worked for many years in the heating and air-conditioning industry, retiring from Gene B. Glick at the age of 65. Upon retirement, Gunk and Burna began spending every winter under the warm sun in Florida, a tradition that quickly became one of their favorites. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, camping, carpentry, leather work and whittling wood. He was a very resourceful and hands-on kind of a man; he could fix anything. He would also do anything for his family, which included helping them collect whatever it was that they wanted to collect, and in his own personal quest, he would collect soda can tabs for the Indiana School for the Deaf. When Gunk needed to sit and wind down the World Wrestling channel was only one click away! Especially during the Smackdown wrestling matches. One of the most meaningful past times in his life was Church. He loved his Church and the Bible and anything about Heaven. Gunk was ready to go to Heaven.
Gunk was preceded in death by his loving wife, Berna Bowles; parents, Earnest, Sr. and Velma Bowles.
He leaves behind to cherish his memory: his three loving children, Ralph Bowles, Vicki (Eddie) Stewart, and Robert (Debra) Bowles; grandchildren, Dennis, Betsy, Julie, Kortney, Chyane, James, Michael, Carol, Bobbie, Brie, Troy and Jesse; great-grandren, Jonathon (Ebony), Jessica, Jennafer, Kassie, Kaylee, Ayden, Kadence, Jaxson, Hudson, Elena, Carter, Lily, Aiden, and James, Jonah, Jace; and great great, Isabella and Cydel. Brother, Billie (Barbara) Bowles.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Indiana School for the Deaf, 1200 E 42nd St, Indianapolis, IN 46205.