Cleo Viola Cowan

Cleo Viola Cowan, 104, of Evansville, passed away Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at The Good Samaritan Home. She was born June 15, 1914 in Galion, Ohio, one of four children, of the late Edward and Blanch Eichorn. She had lived in Evansville since 1970. Cleo graduated from Cleveland Clinic’s Fairview Park Hospital’s School of Nursing in 1936 and was a practicing nurse most of her adult life. She was active in several organizations and philanthropic causes, and Cleo could always be counted on to volunteer her time and her incredible talents. She was a member of St. John’s East United Church of Christ, Northside Kiwanis Club, American Red Cross – Evansville, IN Chapter, Homemakers Extension Club, Evansville Bridge Group, and Good Samaritan Auxiliary where she volunteered extensively with Alzheimer’s patients. Her tireless work ethic, her perpetually positive attitude and her love of life were a beacon and an inspiration for her family and friends. She will be long remembered and forever missed. In addition to her parents, Cleo was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; son, Steven; sisters, Bertha Coyle and Dorothy Shaw; and brother, Lloyd Eichorn. Surviving Cleo are her sons, R. Douglas (Linda) of Port Clinton, OH, and John Edward (Carol) of Nashville, TN; daughter, Sue Ellen Cowan Dearmond (Pat) of Newburgh, IN; her daughter-in-law, Fran Reitz Cowan of Evansville, IN; seven grandchildren, Geoffrey Cowan (Kelly) of Naperville, IL, Heather Cowan Andrea (Robert) of Naples, FL, R. Christopher Cowan (Dr. Alison) of Encino, CA, Allyson Dearmond Critchfield (Allen) of Newburgh, IN, Faith Dearmond Griffith (Tyler) of Newburgh, IN, Gregory Cowan (Ryan Gillstrap) of Naperville, IL, Michael Cowan (Candi) of Ridgecrest, CA; and great-grandchildren, Samantha Cowan and Ryan Cowan of Salt Lake City, UT, Madisyn Andrea and Rylee Andrea of Naples, FL, Cleo Cowan and Lincoln Cowan of Encino, CA, Connor Critchfield and Elsie Critchfield of Newburgh, IN, Ben Griffith and Fayline Griffith of Newburgh, IN. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at St. John’s East United Church of Christ, 7000 Lincoln Avenue, Evansville, officiated by Chaplain Tara Powell. Friends may visit with the family immediately following the services. Memorial contributions may be made to Good Samaritan Auxiliary or Heritage Hospice.