Carl L. Gowler (91) of Effingham

Services with burial at Mt. Vernon Memorial Gardens in Woodlawn, IL will be held at a later date. Arrangements to be determined. Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials and cards may be made to First Baptist Church Memorial Fund, Effingham, IL, and sent to Johnson Funeral Home, 1110 N. 4th Street, Effingham, Illinois, 62401. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here.

Carl was born on February 10, 1931 in Mt. Vernon, IL to parents, Roy L. and Opal (Highsmith) Gowler. He married Shirley (Carr) Gowler on January 15, 1954 at Logan Street Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon, IL. Carl’s first teaching job was as an Ag teacher at Waltonville High School in Southern IL. Following his first semester there, he was drafted into the Armed Services for which he served March 1954 through January 1956. He was honorably discharged early so that he might continue his education, at which time he went on to get his Master’s Degree, as well as an Advanced Certificate. Carl served as the Ag Teacher and FFA Advisor at Effingham High School from 1956 until retiring in 1985. Following his retirement from teaching, he was a school bus driver and worked as a manager at Lincoln Land Amusement Park. Carl was very active in his local church, First Baptist Church of Effingham, where he was a member and Deacon for many years. He and Shirley worked with the youth choir/youth group for several years in the 1970s; and then in his later years, Carl was a part of the tech team for worship services. He was also a faithful volunteer for Cross at the Crossroads.

Carl is survived by his wife Shirley Gowler of Effingham; his brother Larry (Carol) Gowler of Mt. Vernon; his son James (Rebecca) Gowler of Arkansas; his daughter Leslie (Rick) Endebrock of Effingham; his grandson Miles Endebrock of Effingham; and numerous cousins and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Ronald Gowler; his sister, Janet Sager; his sister-in-law Wanda Thiele; and his sister-in-law Sharon Gowler.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (KJV): But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.