GROVER "BUD" CARLTON COWLING's Obituary
Grover (Bud) Cowling Jr. was born May 28, 1930 to Grover Cowling Sr. and Henrietta
Cowling. He passed away on January 18th, 2020. Bud attended Neenah High School
and was a member of the class of 1948. On December 1, 1951 he married Nancy
Dieckhoff and they lived their entire life in the Neenah/Oshkosh area. Bud served in the
Army and was stationed and participated in the Japanese occupation in 1949. Bud
was a tinsmith by trade but was the greatest handyman anyone could have. He loved
being busy and could usually be found in his shed “tinkering” with or fixing something.
If you needed a tool, you could find it in Bud’s shed. He relaxed by being busy and
doing for others. When his sons grew up, he built another shed for his and their “toys”.
Hunting deer, turkey and sturgeon spearing were some of his joys along with watching
his sons and then grandchildren participate in sports and other activities. Bud and
Nancy spent many a Sunday afternoon watching the Packers and the Wisconsin
Badgers with friends. He was also involved in Suburban Athletics when the boys were
playing ball and was a member of the Paynes Point Hook and Spear Club. Bud was a
quiet man but his feelings ran deep. He was always there when needed and when he
spoke, you listened.
Bud and Nancy had a cottage at Chute Pond, north of Suring, where they spent much
of their time. He always found a lot to do there also. Something always needed
changing or fixing so he was happy. He found joy just walking in the woods.
Bud is survived by his wife of 68 years, Nancy and his 5 sons: Grover III Neenah,
James (Mary) Neenah, Daniel (Gerri) Oshkosh, Steven (Anne) Neenah and Mark (Mary)
Neenah. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Erica Cowling, Amanda Zehner
(Adam), Derek (Jen), James (Cymone), Nick (Stephanie), Ashley Cowling, Matthew
(Tara), Stephanie Schroeder (Peter), Jacob and Joshua. There are 9 greatgrandchildren:
Amelia, JJ, Payton, Colton, Logan, Codi Ann, Chloe Ann, Cole and
Callie. He is also survived by his sister Jeannnette Fitzgerald Neenah. A brother Duane,
an infant brother and sisters Virginia Bartlett and Myrtle Gilbertson preceded him in
death, along with his parents. He is also survived by a sister-in-law Mary Ely and her
son, Chris and brother-in-law Jim Dieckhoff and his wife Mary of Sarasota, Florida and
their children Patty LeMahieu (Jack) and Tom Dieckhoff.
Per Bud’s wishes there will be no “official” funeral but a Celebration of Life will be held at The Still & Grill on Sunday January 26 at 1:00. He would want to be remembered as a good friend, always willing to help. He liked to have fun and would not want people to mourn him, but to think of him having fun with his hunting buddies- all of whom preceded him to heaven.
Memorial donations in Bud's name may be given to:
Neenah Wrestling & Suburban Athletics Inc.
P.O. Box 42
Neenah WI 54957
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