Harold D. "Diz" Cowden, Sr

Harold D. "Diz" Cowden, Sr., age 84, of Swanton, Ohio, passed away peacefully in his home, Saturday morning, January 10, 2015. He was born November 30, 1930 in Jacksonville, Illinois, to Dee and Bernice (Willner) Cowden. Harold served in the United States Army. On October 20, 1955, he married Dorothy Theresa Burchell.

Diz worked for CSX as a railroad brakeman for 38 years, retiring in 1993. He was a member of Monclova Road Baptist Church. He enjoyed model railroading, working puzzles, watching the Detroit Tigers, and attending the Toledo Goal Diggers and Toledo Storm hockey games. He and his family also enjoyed camping. He served as a longtime caretaker for Totem Pole Park in Petersburg, Michigan.

Diz is survived by his children, Rick (Krystal) Gill, John (Sandy) Gill, Tobe (Brenda) Gill, Theresa Westphal, Kathie (Gary) Waterstradt, Harold, Jr. "Dean" (Denise) Cowden and Eugena (Steve) Hoeft; brothers, Donald Eugene Cowden and Marvin (Dorothy) Cowden; 16 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren and 19 great-great-grandchildren.

Besides his wife, Dorothy, Harold was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings, Lillian, Charlotte, Ruth, Fred and Joyce.

Visitation will be held Monday, January 12th from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Weigel Funeral Home in Swanton (419.826.2631). Visitation will continue Tuesday, January 13th from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Monclova Road Baptist Church, where funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m., with Pastor Dan DeFriece officiating. Interment will follow at Roth Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family to be directed to charities of their choosing.

Residence: Swanton, Ohio

Visitation: Monday, January 12th from 2 to 8 pm at the Weigel Funeral Home in Swanton

Funeral Service: Tuesday, January 13th at 11:00 am at Monclova Road Baptist Church

Interment: Roth Cemetery