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Douglas "Doug" Ira Cowen

December 12, 1934 ~ December 25, 2024 90 Years Old

Douglas (Doug) Ira Cowen passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Christmas morning, December 25, 2024.

Doug was born in, raised in, and eventually died in South Bend, IN. He was deeply proud of his upbringing in the River Park community during the 1930s and 1940s—sharing a lively home with his mother (Lois), father (Ira), and four sisters (Lila, Betty, Judy, and Suzy). He cherished his boyhood friendships while attending Nuner Elementary School and flourished as an athlete at John Adams High School—freely admitting that he probably spent more time on the baseball fields and basketball courts than in actual classrooms.  

After high school, Doug served in the U.S. Army, toughing out Basic Training and then completing the remainder of his enlistment in Colorado Springs, CO. Soon after he returned home, he met Janice Faulkner on a blind date, and she would become the love of his life. They married on August 29, 1958, at River Park United Methodist Church and would go on to raise four children (Doug, Julie, Anne, and Jim) during their more than sixty years together.

Doug’s passion for sports continued throughout his life. He excelled at fast-pitch softball, in particular, playing for a number of teams in the popular and highly competitive Michiana leagues of the 1960s and 1970s. But no playing experience would compare to the joy he felt while suiting up for teams like “Young’s Nursery” and “Toasty’s Flyers”—arguably some of the best all-around local players to grace the game. He displayed his team jerseys proudly in his home until the very end.

Doug spent most of his career as an estimator with paving companies like Reith-Riley, Asphalt Engineers, and Michiana Paving & Excavating. He was a strong and loyal worker. But Doug did not live to work. He worked to live.

Together, Doug and Jan made their home in the Maple Lane neighborhood their palace. They loved to entertain and host friends and family. Their annual Memorial Day Barbecue and Indy 500 Race parties were legendary—with Doug holding court with his notorious “domestic beer tasting challenge.”  At holiday parties, he enjoyed reading trivia cards to the crowd, and took just a little bit too much pleasure saying, “Buzz!” at incorrect answers.

Doug took great pleasure escaping to his beloved basement mancave where he would dissolve into his impressive collection of vinyl records, his pool table, and vintage slot machine.  He will be remembered for his generous spirit, his contagious laugh, his love of Bonnie Doon ice cream, Barnaby’s pizza, and Louis Armstrong, his admiration of all-things IU basketball, and his insistence of charcoal over gas. Most importantly, he will be remembered for his unwavering loyalty and devotion to his wife, his friends, and his family. He will be missed.

Doug is survived by his wife, Jan, his children Doug (Dawn), Julie Freske (Robert), Anne Palmer (Jason), and Jim (Lara) as well as six grandchildren: William Freske (Sydney), Jacob Freske, Stuart Cowen (Theresa), Isaac Palmer (Rebekah), Samantha Cowen, and Josephine Cowen. He had one great-grandchild.

The family would like to thank the incredibly gracious staff of Wellbrooke of South Bend who were like extended family through their compassion, respect, and attentiveness. A special nod to Kondwani (“K”) Kayombo, who became not just Doug’s caregiver, but a close friend, along with Grace and the staff at Traditions Health Hospice Care who carried on the immensely kind tradition of assisting seniors and their families at very difficult and vulnerable times.  

Visitation for Doug will be held from 11:00-1:00 on Saturday, January 11 at Palmer Funeral Home - River Park Chapel, 2528 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend, IN 46615. Memorial services will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the National Alzheimer’s Association. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

12/28/2024 djb

https://www.palmerfuneralhomes.com/obituary/DouglasDoug-Cowen