Elaine & Kenneth Cowles

Kenneth D. “Don” Cowles, 63, was born Oct. 10, 1932 in Bowling Green, KY to Lucille and Hugh Cowles and went home to be with Jesus on Oct. 3, 1996. He was a veteran and served his country for four years.

Elaine M. Cowles, 74, was born on Sept. 10, 1937 in Angola, IN to Evelyn and Blaine Benninghoff. She went home to be with Jesus on June 10, 2012. Elaine was preceded in death by sisters Pat Peffley and Joyce McClure and brother Jim Benninghoff. She is survived by sister-in-law Shirley Benninghoff and brother-in-law James McClure.

On April 16, 1966 they were married in Elkhart and they are survived by sons, Kenneth D. (Virginia) Cowles Jr. and Michael (Cassandra) Cowles and daughters Amy (Paul) Villarreal, Jayne (Roger) Kupgisch, Sharyn Abbey and Rhonda (Billy) Main. They have 8 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-granddaughter and several nieces and nephews. Elaine had a very special friend, Cindy Stankovich, who was a roommate until her untimely passing.

Ken and Elaine love to travel, go to stock car races, and they were avid bowlers. They were stamp and coin collectors in the area for many years. Elaine enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles and crocheting. Ken enjoyed making things out of wood and collecting sports cards and die cast cars with his grandson, James “Mickey” Fisette.

A time of reminiscing will take place from 12:30 pm until the memorial service for Mr. and Mrs. Cowles at 3:30 pm on Friday at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home at Cobblestone Crossing, Elkhart. Pastors Mike Fisher and Richard Ong will officiate. They will be laid to rest beside one another at Prairie Street Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials may be given to Grace Bible Church Teen Ministry. Visit www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com to share a message with the family.