John R. Rowland

John R. Rowland, 90, passed to his Heavenly home on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.

He was born June 9, 1935 to William (Bill) Rowland and Rosa Pfeiffer Rowland.

A graduate of the Corydon Central High School class of 1955, he went on to marry Etta Farler.  They had a very unique wedding.  John and Etta, Etta’s brothers, Denny and Jan Rae, and Don and Yvonne all married in the same ceremony.  John and Etta remained married until her passing in 2000.  During that time, John worked at Keller Manufacturing Company and then went on to Ford Motor Company from which he retired.  He also started his own business, JR’s Western Shop in Corydon. 

In 2002, he married June Conrad.  They enjoyed traveling and went on several cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean.  They also loved going to Branson and Pigeon Forge.

John was a long time member of the Old Capitol United Methodist Church.  He was also a member of the Corydon Masonic and Eastern Star Lodges, a former member of the Harrison County horse patrol, the Corydon Jay C’s, Optimist Club, Old Capitol Saddle Club and the Old Capitol Wheelers and Clogger Club and for many years coached softball and baseball teams.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Etta, sister, Sue Rowland, and brother, Frank Rowland.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, June, sons, Mark (Sandie) of Clermont, Florida, John Gregory "Greg" (Tammy) of Palmyra, Indiana, daughter, Kathy (Steve) Decker of Washington, Indiana, 9 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild, and his sister Patricia (Larry) Mays of Corydon.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 12, 2025, at Beanblossom-Cesar Funeral Home in Corydon.  Pastor Allen Edwards will officiate.  He will be laid to rest at Cedar Hill Cemetery beside the mother of his children, Etta Rowland.

Visitation will be on Thursday from 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and after 9:00 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Eric Rowland, Eli Rowland, Hunter McCleese, Kevin Decker, Thomas Wiseman and Isaac Green.

The family requests that expressions of sympathy be made to Alzheimer’s Association at https://alz.org or Southern Care Hospice, 811 Northgate Blvd. #101, New Albany, Indiana 47150.

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