Lester Eugene “Gene” Cowgur was born on May 13, 1944, in Elkhart, Illinois, the son of Maxwell Eugene and Bertha Irene Baker Cowgur. He was raised by his stepmother Roberta Evelyn Koehler Cowgur from age 4 years old. He was united in marriage to Patsy Colleen Donnan on May 29, 1965. She passed away on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.
He is survived by his children: Tammy Harmony, Lora (Paul) Fanning, and Brad (Pandora) Cowgur, grandchildren: Daniel Harmony, Rachel Harmony, Elizabeth (Pat) Buchanan, Nate Fanning, Samantha (Levi) Clemens, Zachary (Allie) Fanning, Justin (Leighanna) Hyatt, and Kevin (Veronica) Cowgur; and fifteen great-grandchildren; one brother: Brian Cowgur, one sister: Becky Landis, one sister-in-law: Carolyn Koehler; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother: Bruce Cowgur, one niece: Alaina Landis; and one grandson: Brian Harmony, Jr.
Gene attended Mt. Pulaski High School with the class of 1962. He then served in the United States Army as a Field Medic Corpsman from 1962 to 1965, serving one year in Korea.
He was employed at Bridgestone Firestone for 30 years, PPG, Filter Queen Vacuum, Morgan Transport, and Ron’s Towing.
Gene and Patsy owned the Dairy Bar in Mt. Pulaski, along with Putter and Clutter Woodworking. His hobbies included woodworking, along with being outdoors fishing or hunting.
Burial will be the Laenna Cemetery in rural Chestnut at a later date.
Memorials may be made to the Chestnut Geo Center c/o LCB, PO Box 80, Chestnut, Illinois 62518
Peasley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.