JOHN F MCGOWAN

MIDLAND ‹ John Francis McGowan, 59, of Midland, died Monday, Oct. 2, 2000, at his residence.

Born on Aug. 1, 1941, in Frostburg, he was the son of the late John Leo McGowan and Rose Mary (Urbas) McGowan Stakem. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.

Mr. McGowan graduated from LaSalle in 1959 and joined the U.S. Army, where he served with the 25th Signal Battalion from 1960-62. He graduated from the Maryland State Police Academy in 1963 and was stationed at the Westminster Barracks until 1968. He spent most of his career as a criminal investigator in Allegany and Garrett counties before retiring after 28 years of service in 1991 as the Barrack Commander in McHenry. He continued his law enforcement career with the Allegany County States Attorney's Office, working as a criminal investigator with the C3I Unit.

He was a member of Saint Joseph's Catholic Church, Midland, the N.R.A., Midland Sportsman's Club, Fraternal Order of Police #40, State Police Alumni, Maryland Trooper Association, Frostburg Elks Lodge 470, and Farrady Post 24 American Legion.

Surviving are his wife, Charlotte (Windle) McGowan; five daughters, Kimberly Lehman, Bowling Green, Krista McGowan, Bel Air, Melissa McGowan, National, Robyn Bridges and husband Rick, Westminster, and Susan Dicks and husband Rodger, Cumberland; seven grandchildren, Aden P. Lehman, Rafe Bridges, Ryne Bridges, Rheanon Bridges, Brittany S. Dicks, Tiffany A. Dicks and Colton A. Dicks; five aunts, Antoinette Kelly, Lonaconing, Helen Hardesty, Springs, Pa., Margaret Arnold, Frostburg, Dorothy Warnick, New Germany, Libby McKinley, Fairplay; three uncles, John Urbas, Meyersdale, William Urbas, Midland, and Joe McGowan, Frostburg; and many cousins and special friends.

Friends will be received at the Durst Funeral Home, P.A., 57 Frost Ave., Frostburg, on Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.

A Mass of a Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Joseph's Catholic Church on Friday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Father Paul Byrnes serving as celebrant.

Interment will be in Saint Michael's Cemetery, Frostburg. Military honors will be accorded at graveside by the Combined Veterans Honor Guard from the Maryland State Police, Farrady Post 24, American Legion and the Vietnam Veterans.

Pallbearers will be Bob Robertson, Ray Tighe, Rick Bridges, Rodger Dick, Buddy Michaels and Johnny Urbas. Honorary pallbearers will be Lawrence Kelly, the C3I Unit, Bob Friend, John Castow, John Carroll, Bill Skidmore, Mark Grindle, Bill Warn, Gary Warn, Jesse Moyers and Jim Booth.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Johns Hopkins University Hospital's Cancer Research Center, 600 N. Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21505.