Sheldon G. Bowser, 69, of Chicora passed away at 12:15 p.m. Friday at Butler Memorial Hospital following a lengthy illness.

Born in Bruin on Jan. 2, 1944, he was the son of the late Frank P. and Edna Rodgers Bowser.

He was married to the former P. Colette Master on Oct. 21, 1967, and they would have celebrated their 46th anniversary in three days.

Sheldon graduated from the Fairview Township-Karns City School District with the Class of 1961.

He was a lifelong member of the Bruin United Methodist Church.

Sheldon served his country during the Vietnam War era with the U.S. Navy. He served active duty from September 1961 to December 1964. He worked in nuclear weapons, and was honorably discharged with the rank of petty officer third class. He did carrier duty throughout much of Europe, and he was discharged from active duty having served on the carrier USS Enterprise.

He retired from AK Steel at the Butler operation following 37 years of service.

He and Colette had traveled throughout the entire United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, and had traveled extensively throughout much of Europe. In addition to a zest for travel, he and his wife were both avid golfers. They followed the links to many areas of the country from Pennsylvania and Ohio to the Carolinas and Arizona, and beyond. He was a longtime member of the Armco Country Club, now Oakview, and over the years belonged to many leagues, both couples and men's leagues.

In addition to his wife Colette, he is survived by one brother, Kenneth Bowser and his wife, Beth, of North Carolina, and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Glenda Bowser Hindman, in 1990.

BOWSER — At the request of Sheldon G. Bowser, who died Friday, Oct. 18, 2013, all arrangements are private with private burial at Old Annandale Cemetery at Boyers.Arrangements are handled by the H. Jack Buzard Funeral Home.In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorials be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Association or the American Heart Association at the chapter of the donor's choice.To view or to send condolences or sympathy cards, visit www.buzardfuneralhomes.com.