STEPHEN J. COWAN

Stephen J. Cowan, 61, of Arma, died at 3:15 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010 at the Mt. Carmel Regional Medical Center in Pittsburg following a short battle with cancer.

He was born June 1, 1948 at the home of his parents, Mildred (Grizzle) Cowan and delivered by his father John E. (Jack) Cowan.

Steve attended Arma Elementary and Jr. High and it was at Arma High School where he began dating his wife Sharon (Kovacic) Cowan who survives of their home.

He joined the United States Air Force in 1966 and was stationed at McChord Air Force Base in Tacoma, Wash., as a Sergeant. In 1970 he was discharged with honors and returned back to Arma to marry Sharon on June 27, 1970 at the Arma United Methodist Church where Steve was a member.

He worked construction for many years and later owned his own business, Cowan Construction. He enjoyed helping people in his community and there was no job he couldn't do. At this time he was also a volunteer Fireman for the Arma Fire Department and District No. 2 Fire Department. Steve had a great love and appreciation for the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He especially loved to fish at Stockton Lake and Fort Scott Lake and opened a sporting good store, Old Fort Gun and Tackle, in Fort Scott, Kansas in 1988. In 1995 he began working as a Postal Clerk at the Fort Scott Post Office and did so until his sudden illness. He was a member of the American Postal Union District No. 6 and the Kansas Postal Union AFLCIO.

Besides hunting and fishing, Steve enjoyed working on cars and fixing up houses with his sons Cody and Gage. He was always up for going to the movies, and liked to watch the History and SyFy channel. Steve was best known in Arma for his Halloween decorations that he put up every year. Much time and effort went into the planning and constructing of the Cowan Halloween House just to make the holiday enjoyable, not only for trick-or-treaters but for his family. He loved fireworks on the 4th of July, giving presents for Christmas and lighting sparklers on New Year's Eve. His contagious excitement will be greatly missed by family and everyone that knew him.

Survivors include: wife Sharon of Arma; son Cody Cowan of Pittsburg; son Gage Cowan of Arma; daughter Hilary "Doc" Cowan Unruh, and son in law Ted Unruh of Pittsburg; two sisters, Jeanie Skidmore of Belton, Missouri and Cindy Cowan of Farmington, New Mexico; step father Clarence Ryder of Franklin; two step sisters, Dianna Reiken of Arma and Marrene Pacelli of Anaheim, California.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, grandparents, and niece Gina Menellia.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010 at the Bedene Funeral Home in Arma, Kan., with Rev. Jon Foster officiating and burial services immediately following at the Garden of Memories in Pittsburg, Kan. The family will receive friends 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Bedene Funeral Home on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010. The family suggests expressions of sympathy be in the form of donations to the PSU Veterans Memorial in Pittsburg, Kan., or the Arma United Methodist Church Elevator Fund.

Donations may be sent to or left at the Bedene Funeral Home, 517 E. Washington, Box 621, Arma, Kansas 66712.