Richard D. Jowders

Richard D. Jowders, 91, longtime resident of Milford, NH, died on January 25, 2016 at the V.A. Medical Center, Manchester, NH. He was born in Wilton, NH on October 13, 1924, a son of Walter I. and Helen (Draper) Jowders. He was raised and educated in Wilton and attended Wilton schools. Mr. Jowders joined the U.S. Army and proudly served his country during World War II in the 95th Infantry Division in Europe. He was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge and was later transferred to the 9th Air Corp. where he was honorably discharged in 1946 and awarded the Purple Heart 50 years later. Following his discharge from the service, he returned to civilian life and went to work for Abbot Machine Company in Wilton and NH Ball Bearing Company in Peterborough, NH for many years. Mr. Jowders retired in 1990 from Hendrix Wire & Cable Company, Milford after 20 years of service. He enjoyed dancing, music, bowling, was an avid Red Sox and Patriots fan. He was a life member and Past Post Commander of the Harley Sanford Post #4368 VFW in Milford and was State Commander of the VFW from 1967-1968. He held many national chairmanships, a life member of the National Home, VFW, member of the Bent Burke Post #10 American Legion, Wilton and the DAV Chapter in Manchester. In addition, he was a member of the Second Congregational Church of Wilton. Mr. Jowders was predeceased by his first wife, Shirley (Hatch) Jowders in 1955 and his second wife, Caroline M. (French) Nadeau Jowders in 2008. Family members include a daughter and son-in-law, Marcia and Joe Lappa of Millinocket, ME; three sons and daughters-in-law, Daniel and Liz Jowders of Milford, NH, Perry and Roberta Nadeau of Fitzwilliam, NH, and Gary Nadeau of Milford, NH; twelve grandchildren, Aaron Jowders, Scott Jowders, Jose Mangual, Mikey Mangual, Cindy Jowders, Trisha Landry, Joe Lappa, Tyler Nadeau, Travis Nadeau, Jennifer Bligh, Kelly LoVerme and Matt Nadeau; many great grandchildren; a brother, Allen “Rollie” Jowders and his wife, Priscilla of Wilton, NH; a sister, Carolyn Underwood and her husband, Ralph of Bedford, NH; many nieces and nephews. Memorial visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, February 2nd from 9:30-11:00 am in the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 am. Burial with military honors will be held in Laurel Hill Cemetery, Wilton in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Crestwood Healthcare Center, Activities Fund, 40 Crosby Street, Milford, NH 03055.