Parnell W. Bowman

DULUTH, Minn. - Parnell W. Bowman, 76, of Ironwood, Mich., died Friday, April 3, 2015, at St. Luke's Hospice in Duluth, with his family by his side.

He was born June 2, 1938, in Advance, Wis., son of the late Harry Basil and Esther Irene (Kamke) Bowman, attended Advance and Ironwood grade schools, and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1956. He then spent 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, serving his country in security communications in Iceland, Duluth, Antigo, Wis., Nebraska, Hawaii, New Mexico, Vietnam and Germany, and was honorably discharged as a technical sergeant in 1976.

Following his discharge from the Air Force, Parnell returned to Ironwood and was employed with GTech (Michigan Lottery Commission) for 16 years, retiring in 2005.

An avid fisherman, Parnell was a 40-year Parker Scott, Whisper, Whisper II and Mrs. Beezlee boat owner docked at Saxon Harbor and was a member of the Saxon Harbor Boating Club. He also was a member of Hurley American Legion Post 58, Iron County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1580 and Northland Chapter No. 66, Disabled American Veterans.

An excellent bowler, he bowled in Range area leagues for many years and also pitched fast-pitch softball. He enjoyed downhill skiing and ski jumping in his younger years, and loved to read and work crossword and jigsaw puzzles. He was a big Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers fan.

On April 22, 1961, Parnell was married to the former Mary Ann Bruzdzinski at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Ironwood by the late Rev. Frank Ronkowski.

Surviving are his wife, Mary Ann, of 53 years; two sons, Scott (Lynn), Negaunee, Mich., and their children, Parker and Jessica; Steven (Dolly), West Allis, Wis., and their children, BreeAnn, Marisa, Chad, Carrie, Cristy and Craig; four great-grandchildren; a brother, Ken (Barbara), Ironwood; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Walter (Beverly) Berzinski, Green Bay, Wis., Clara Jordan and Cecilia Stanczak, both of Ironwood, Elizabeth Zanutto, Montreal, Wis., and Clifford DeBauche, Green Bay.

Besides his parents, Parnell was predeceased by brothers and sisters-in-law, George and Gertrude Jacobsen, Barbara DeBauche, Ted Jordan, Lawrence Zanutto and Leo Stanczak Sr.

Out of respect for his wishes, cremation has taken place.

A memorial gathering for family and friends will be held from 10 a.m until noon on Saturday, April 11, 2015, at the McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, 305 N. Lowell St., in Ironwood.

Full military honors will be accorded at 11:30 a.m. by the combined Hurley American Legion Post 58 and Iron Co. VFW Post 1580 Honor Guard.

Luncheon will follow at Tacconelli's in downtown Ironwood.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood. Condolences may be expressed online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com