Obituary

Dennis Bowers, 72, left this planet  peacefully at home after a brief and sudden illness on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, surrounded by loved ones.  Dennis was born in Kokomo, Indiana, on December 19, 1953, to the late Billie R. and  Marylou E. Bowers and is also preceded in death by his brother Marc Bowers, and his longtime partner Connie Messer.

Family was important to Dennis.  He is survived by his brother Brian (Lori) Bowers, sister Sandra Bowers, his aunt and uncle John and Kathy Bender, cousins, and nieces and nephews. The Bowers family spent many memorable summers in Indiana at grandma and grandpa’s home. Dennis is also survived by his chosen family members, including the Roger and Teresa Messer, family, cherished Monica Aiken,  and adored partner Polly Piatt Hoffman.

Dennis was the owner and operator of a very successful construction business, where he specialized in remodeling. Countless letters of thanks from his more than satisfied customers is a testament to his skill in finely detailed carpentry work.  Dennis worked with a steady hand and a steady heart.  He was never able to retire because his past clients begged him to continue to work on new projects. 

When he wasn’t working, one might find Dennis down at Honey Creek  or on a bank at Kaiser Lake with a pole in his hand.  A childhood spent in Alaska was the beginning of a life-long love of fishing and shooting for Dennis.  

But if you knew Dennis, you knew that music was in his soul.  He had learned to play the guitar in the seventh grade and never stopped, to the point of wearing down his finger prints. From that point on, a guitar was never out of his reach. He could hear a tune on the radio, and quickly play that tune. Dennis was a highly skilled player who could be heard all around the area, playing hundreds of songs with countless other band members and pickers, playing folk, rock, and bluegrass. For the last 16 years, Dennis was a key member of the Tuesday Night Pickers who enjoyed playing all types of music and eating great food.  Dennis loved and admired John Prine, The Beatles, The Eagles and could cover all their hits. From one of his favorite albums, he might sing, “Me, I’m already gone,” but wouldn’t want us to “eat your lunch all by yourself.”  He would want us to gather around a table, drink a cold long-necked bottle of Corona and listen to some good music, and just “Take It Easy.” Dennis was loved and admired by both friends and family and will be truly missed.

Glickler Funeral Home is serving the family.  A celebration of life will be held at later date.