Edward J. Sowa

Munising

Edward J. Sowa, age 90, of Munising, died Wednesday, morning, September 11, 2019 at U.P. Health Systems – Marquette.  He was born in Munising on March 18, 1929 to the late Charles and Blanche (Pearsic) Sowa.  Ed graduated from Sacred Heart School and then attended Salvatorian Seminary for two years before returning to Munising and graduating from Wm. G. Mather in the class of 1947.  On January 2, 1950, he entered into the U.S. Army during the Korean Crisis and served two years in Germany with the 43rd Divisional Artillery Unit a battalion dispatcher.  Ed was active in athletics both in high school and while serving in the Army.  Ed was selected to the UP All-Star Football Team in 1947 and then ran track while stationed at Fort Hood and played football in Germany with the Army.  After returning home, Ed met the love of his life Ann Boyak and on July 2, 1954 were united in marriage.  They raised five children: John, Steve, Sharon, Mike, and Ed.  They had fifty-seven grand years together and cherished every minute together.  Ed was employed at Kimberly Clark and was employed for thirty-five years, retiring in 1989 as wastewater treatment and furnish tester.  Ed served two terms on the Alger County Board of Commissioners when the new complex built.  He also served two terms on the AuTrain Township Board and twenty-four years on Alger County Commission on Aging.  Ed was a diehard Packer fan and a longtime faithful member of Sacred Heart Church.

Ed is survived by his children – John (Treasa) Sowa, Steve (Kathleen) Sowa, Sharon (Peter) Kochis, and Michael (Cathy) Sowa; and daughter-in-law - Vicki Sowa all of Munising; grandchildren – Misty (Gary) Gurski, Erin (Jake) Wallace, Brent Sowa, Paige Sowa, Kristy (Sam) Norton, Peter Kochis III, Cassandra (Logan) Poupore, and Sheena Sowa; great-grandchildren – Jenna, Josh, Jaycee, Tyler, Madison, Elliott, Austin and Brantlee; sister – Irene Waeghe of Gladstone; sister-in-law – Susan Sowa; and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his wife – Ann Sowa; son - Edward Sowa II; parents – Charles and Blanche; brother – Jim Sowa; sister – Frances Sowa; sister-in-law – Pat Sowa; and brother-in-law – Jerome “Dick” Waeghe.

Visitation will be on Monday, September 16, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at the Bowerman Funeral Home.  Fr. Chris Gardiner will conduct Ed’s Funeral Mass at 12:00 noon at Sacred Heart Church in Munising.  Interment will be at Maple Grove Cemetery where military honors will be conducted by the American Legion and Vietnam Veterans Honor Guard.