Robert “Bob” James Lower, 83, of Mount Vernon died on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at Centerburg Pointe with family at his bedside. He was born on March 22, 1943, in Mount Vernon to the late Densel and Lillian (Ebersole) Lower.
Bob enjoyed playing basketball at St. Vincent de Paul, where he graduated from high school. One of his first jobs was at his grandfather Leland Ebersole’s farm and butcher shop. Bob had an incredible work ethic and more than once worked two jobs at a time to support his family. He built campers at the Hi-Lo Trailer company near his home in Butler and worked as a machinist at Cooper-Bessemer in Mount Vernon. His career led him to Hydraulic Press Manufacturing (HPM) in Mount Gilead and back to Coopers later as a supervisor. While at Coopers, he also drove semi-truck for Brown Trucking, taking loads to Texas. He finished his career as a machinist at Ariel Corporation in Mount Vernon. He set high standards for himself and those around him.
Bob built the family home in Chesterville, near the Ebersole farm, many days working there by himself. He would leave home from Butler, work on the house for hours at a time and then work a whole shift at HPM. Later, he and Kay built a beautiful home in Mount Vernon where he enjoyed hosting events for family and friends for many years.
Bob loved working outdoors, whether it was planting, caring for and harvesting vegetables or farming corn and soybeans. Bob enjoyed a number of hobbies: camping and boating with family and friends, going to sales and adding to his gun collection, and collecting antique Heisey glass with his dad, mom, and other family members.
Bob enjoyed the times he and Kay stayed in Naples, Florida over the winters. He loved the warm weather and enjoyed playing card games and dominoes as well as the occasional banana split for lunch with good friends.
Throughout his life, Bob loved going with family members to tractor pulls, whether local ones at county fairs or the national pulls in Bowling Green, Ohio. If it was cold out, you might find him in front of the TV watching a car race, a boxing match, or an Ohio State basketball game.
Bob is survived by his loving wife Kay (Gardner) Lower, children, Debbie Lower, Sandy (James) Casto, Michael (Kim) Brokaw, and John (Andrea) Brokaw; 9 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; sister-in-law Shirley Lower; sisters Linda (George) Vogt, Brenda (David) Parr, and Doris (David) Schnormeier; brother-in-law Chris Bergs and many extended family members.
In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his daughter Michele Lower, his sister, Marsha Bergs, and his brother, Phillip Lower.
The family will have a celebration of life service at a later date.
To share a memory or send the family an expression of sympathy visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com
The Snyder Funeral Homes, Dowds Chapel is honored to serve the family of Robert “Bob” James Lower.
Funeral Home: Snyder Funeral Homes, Dowds Chapel
Website: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com