Pawnee - Ron Cowgur, 73, of Pawnee, Ill., died Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015, at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield. Ron was born Jan. 31, 1942, in Galatia, Ill., the son of James and Effie (Lorene) Paige Cowgur. He married Cheryl L. Smith on July 25, 1981, at Grace Baptist Church in Virden, Ill. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Jack Collins. Ron graduated from El Paso High School in El Paso, Texas. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and served during the Vietnam conflict. He was an active member of the Pawnee Christian Church in Pawnee, Ill., and served on the Pawnee police and fire departments. Ron worked for Pella Window Co. for 26 years, retiring in 1995. Ron is survived by his wife, Cheryl, of Pawnee; three sons, Gregory Cowgur, Robert W. (wife, Barb) Bettis of Pawnee and Franklin V. (wife, Tina) Angelo of St. Robert, Mo.; three daughters, Lisa L. (husband, Kevin) Gulley of Carrier Mills, Ill., Kathy L. (husband, Robert) Nichols of Bonfield, Ill., and Crystal L. (husband, Kent) Pitchford of Virden, Ill.; nine grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren with two on the way; one brother, John A. (wife, Judy) Cowgur of Harrisburg, Ill.; one sister, Norma McGill of El Paso, Texas and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Ron's family will meet friends from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, at the Curry Funeral Home in Pawnee. The funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 4, 2016, at the funeral home with the Rev. Aaron Griffith officiating. Burial will be at Zion Cemetery in Pawnee with military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to the Pawnee Food Pantry, P.O. Box 304, Pawnee, IL 62558. Curry Funeral Home in Pawnee is serving the family of Ron Cowgur. Online condolences may be expressed at www.curryfh.com Service: Monday Jan. 4, 2016 10 a.m. Curry Funeral Home Pawnee, Ill. Visitation: Sunday Jan. 3, 2016 3 to 5 p.m. Curry Funeral Home Pawnee, Ill.