John C. Bowyer, age 46 of Elwood died Thursday, July 24, 2014 at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis after a brief illness. He was born August 23, 1967 in Norwich, Connecticut, the son of Clyde R. and Rita P. (Robertson) Bowyer. He was a Tool and Die Maker and worked at Hartford City Tool & Die for 6 years and he formerly worked for Kirby Engineering and Riley Engineering. John was a 1985 graduate of Elwood Community High School, and was a student of John Hind Vocational School. In 1985 as a senior, John won the Indiana State Machinist Competition and later placed 2nd in the National competition. As a young man, he was also formerly active in Boy Scouts; Madison County 4-H in the automotive division; and the Elwood Order of DeMolay. Recently, John was well known for working on Camaros and various types of motors. He was a gun enthusiast, enjoyed fishing, and was a jack-of-all-trades. John was a very direct person, and people always knew where they stood with him. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

His family includes his father, Clyde R. Bowyer, Jr. of Alexandria; 3 children, Jocelyn Bowyer of Elwood, Sean (wife Olivia) Watkins of New Jersey, and Ricky Watkins of Hagerstown; fiancé and best friend, Lynda Cross of Elwood; 2 sisters, Samantha Hurley of Valparaiso and Nora Nicely of Elwood; brother, David (wife Melissa) Bowyer of Noblesville; aunts and uncles, Steve Buttler, James (wife Marilyn) Bowyer, Carolyn Mallory, Luana (husband Gene) Castor, Jerry (wife Kate) Robertson, and Ann (husband Darrell) Burton; special family members, Samantha Hughes and children; and several nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his mother, Rita Bowyer in 2007.

A funeral celebrating John's life will take place at 2:00 PM on Monday, July 28, 2014 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with John's uncle, James Bowyer, officiating. Burial will follow in the Elwood City Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM on Monday prior to the funeral service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of the donor's choice. Online condolences: www.copherfeslermay.com.