Gene L. Bown

Gene L Bown of Columbia Cross Roads, PA stepped into heaven on October 10, 2026 at the age of 100. Born August 23, 1926 to Raymond and Thelma Bown in Sullivan County, PA, he was the middle child of five siblings. On September 30, 1950 he married Bernadine Vogt and they raised four children together. They were married for more than 73 years before her passing in 2024.

Gene was a farmer, lumberman and contractor. In 1981, he and Bernadine designed and built their home in Springfield Township, PA. He took pride in his work and wanted everything he built to be perfect. He worked at various remodeling and building projects for many area families.

Gene loved God and made sure that his family attended church and Sunday school. He set a good example as a husband and father. He was a man of few words, but he let everyone know where he stood.

He loved traveling and camping. When the kids were young, the family camped in a tent. Later, he and Bernadine traveled the U.S. and Canada in a motorhome, visiting every state except Utah. Favorite trips were to the Lancaster area and Canada. He started taking annual fishing trips with family and friends as a teenager and continued into his 90’s.

Gene was a proud member of the Endless Mountains Woodworkers Association, often scheduling other things around their meetings. He enjoyed the guy’s companionship and they enjoyed his deviled eggs. He spent hours in his woodshop, crafting trinket boxes, pencil holders, cookie jars and decorative tissue boxes. Over the years, he made over 100 tissue boxes and gave them away to family and friends.

Gene loved his family, his home, his motorhome, his tractor, FOX News, hunting and fishing. He will be remembered as determined, dependable, and a lover of routine.

On his 100th birthday, the family enjoyed a celebration of Gene’s life with over 50 family members attending. He enjoyed every minute of it and said it was a good day. Thank you to all who made it a special occasion.

Gene is survived by his children and their spouses, Barbara and Jack Swingle, Ted and Janet Bown, Christine and Alan Painter, grandchildren and their spouses, Ryan and Rachel Bown, Lacey and Steve Curtis, Molly and Darin Jennings, Erin and Kevin Mowrey, Jesse and Tina Painter, 10 great grandchildren, and a sister-in-law, Grace Bown.

He was predeceased by his wife, Bernadine, a son, Sanford, his parents, Raymond and Thelma Bown, his siblings, Bruce, Robert, Joyce and Patricia.

If we could ask Gene how he is, he would say “just great” as he always did. We know he IS “just great”…..Revelation 21:4 “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

A time of visitation will be held at 11:30 on Friday, October 16 at Springfield Baptist Church, 3093 Springfield Road, Columbia Cross Roads, PA 16914, with services to follow at 12:30. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Gerald W. Vickery, Jr. Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc., 1093 W Main St., Troy, PA.