White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – Harold E. Bearbower, 87 years old, of rural Rowley, Iowa, died on Friday, April 3, 2015, at the Buchanan County Health Center in Independence.  He was born on February 16, 1928, in Homer Township of Buchanan County, Iowa, the son of William Ray and Mary Ann (Buehler) Bearbower.  He attended the county country schools.  Mr. Bearbower was a life long farmer.  He and his brothers started by doing threshing for many area farmers.  Mr. Bearbower served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.  On March 29, 1954, he and the former Sharon Lee Duckett were married in Albert Lea, Minnesota.  He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Brandon, Iowa, and a life member of the Bechter-Boies V.F.W. Post #2440 in Independence.  In his retirement years, Mr. Bearbower enjoyed rides around the area in his ’85 Ford Pick-up, NASCAR races, Iowa games, watching old movies on TV, and his dog, Sally.

Mr. Bearbower is survived by his wife of 61 years, Sharon, 1 son, Gary (Laurie) Bearbower of Independence, Iowa, 1 daughter, Julie Motley of Silver Springs, Maryland, 5 grandchildren, Jake (Jen) Motley of Malvern, PA, Sarah Motley of Silver Springs, MD, Eric (Gina) Bearbower, Bryan (Jenny) Bearbower and Keith (Emily) Bearbower, all of Cedar Rapids, IA, and 3 great grandchildren, Paige Bearbower, Kobe Bearbower, and Jake Motley, Jr.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers, Merle Bearbower, Earl Bearbower, and Bill Bearbower, and 1 sister, LaVonne Dudley.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 8, 2015, at the White Funeral Home in Independence, Iowa, with Rev. Lexie Kirkpatrick officiating.  Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence.  Friends may call for visitation from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7^th, at the White Funeral Home where a Military Service begins at 7:00 p.m.