John Martin Fowler

John Martin Fowler was born on March 12, 1945 in Monroe, Michigan. He was one of three sons born to Joseph and Anne (Bodi) Fowler. John graduated from St. Mary Catholic Central High School with the Class of 1963. Shortly thereafter he joined the United States Army and proudly served his country as a teletypist in Vietnam from 1965 until 1967.

John was employed as a sales associate at Diamond’s Menswear in Monroe for thirty years before retiring in the early 2000’s. He later utilized his self-taught contracting skills to start his own remodeling company. Extremely meticulous, John did fantastic work. His resume included the building of both former T.C.B.Y. locations in Monroe, where he crossed paths with his future spouse. On March 29, 1994 John was joined in marriage to the love of his life, the former Mary (Evans) Ochs.

John was a member of the American Legion in Monroe and a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus. A firearms enthusiast, he was also a proud member of the National Rifle Association and the Canvasback Gun Club in Monroe where John and his wife participated in the archery league. He learned to build his own arrows, a skill he passed on to his son, Bruce. John made many trips to St. Helen, in Northern Michigan, to camp and hunt deer alongside his best friend, Terry. An avid reader, he enjoyed Western novels and firearms guides. John kept his mind sharp with crossword puzzle books. He had a great sense of humor with a touch of sarcasm. John was well known to share famous quotes and always responded to terms of endearment with “I Love You More”.

John Martin Fowler, age 77, of Monroe, Michigan passed away peacefully at ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital on Friday, February 24, 2023. His passing was preceded by his parents; a brother: Martin John Fowler; and one sister-in-law: Barb Fowler.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife: Mary Fowler; six children: Michael “Max” (Mary) Fowler, John (Vanessa) Fowler II, and Danielle (Tom) Pearch, Bruce Ochs, Angela (Marc) Costello, and Kristie (Christian) Mantei; twenty-four grandchildren: Stephen, Nicholas, Andrew, John III, Eden, Jake, Ben, Jarred, Judah, Lizzy, Steven, Brittany, Brealyn, Hunter (Phoebe), Hanna, Ashley (Will), Jory (Holly), Evan, Emma, Nick, Nathan, Zak, London, and Savannah; four great grandchildren: McKenzie, Sydney, Ashton, and Grayson; one brother: Joseph Martin Fowler; and four nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of John’s Life will be held on Sunday, March 5, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at the V.F.W. Post #1138, 400 Jones Avenue, Monroe, Michigan 48161. His care has been entrusted to Merkle Funeral Service, South Monroe; 14567 South Dixie Highway, Monroe, Michigan 48161 (734) 241-7070. Cremation has taken place through the on-site crematory, Covenant Cremation of Erie, Michigan.