Melvin Merl Sowers

Melvin Merl Sowers, 81, of Fairmont, WV, passed away Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at Ruby Memorial Hospital with family by his side.  He was born in Shinnston, WV on April 16, 1940, to the late Elwood Merl Sowers and Mary Etta Wilmouth-Sowers.

Melvin was a 1958 graduate of Mannington High School.  He proudly served in the United States Army. He was a coal miner, having worked for Martinka Coal Mines, as an electrician in Fairmont, WV.

Melvin was a member of the American Legion post 31, Masonic Lodge #24, member of the UMWA, Harrison County EMS for over 15 years and retired Ohio Carpenters Union.

Melvin enjoyed hunting, fishing and attending NASCAR races with his family.

Melvin resided with his daughter, Dusty Willis and husband Tom; grandson, Joshua McNemar; granddaughter, Megan Utter and her husband Zachary and his best buddy, Jeff Willis.  Melvin also resided with three grand-fur babies:  Shake, Miya and Zorro.

In addition to his parents, Melvin was preceded in death by his wife, Leona Belle (Holt) Sowers, whom he married September 1963; son, Jeffery Alan Sowers; and two sisters:  Dolores Trusky and Judith Hoskin.

Melvin is survived by his son, Melvin Daniel “Danny” Sowers and wife Julie of Shinnston; daughter, Dusty Willis and husband Tom of Fairmont; four granddaughters:  Elissa, Shandon, Shayla and Megan; four grandsons:  Travis, Danny, Tyler and Josh; and several great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Full military honors will be provided by the United States Army and Harrison County Honor Guard.

Family and friends will be received at Dorsey Funeral Home, 701 S. Pike St., Shinnston, WV on Sunday, February 6, 2022 from 2:00pm to 8:00pm.  Service will be held on Monday, February 7, 2022 at 11:00am with Pastor Darren Powell officiating. Interment will follow at Lumberport Lions Club Cemetery.

Dorsey Funeral Home is honored to be handling the arrangements for the Sowers family.

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