Claude Junior ‘Whitey’ Fowler

Claude Junior Fowler (Whitey), 88, of Bainbridge passed away peacefully on Oct. 13, 2024.

Claude was born in Greencastle to Floyd and Hallie Fowler on June 26, 1936. He was a 1954 graduate of Bainbridge High School, after spending his primary years at Clinton Falls schools.

He married Carolyn Dean Poynter on April 20, 1957. He was quite proud to say they had been married 67 years. Claude was a Brick Mason his entire career, starting at the age of 17, until his retirement in 1998. Upon retirement, Claude enjoyed traveling with Carolyn in their RV and wintering in Pharr, Texas, and Ruskin, Fla.

Claude was a Mason in the Masonic Lodge. He enjoyed NASCAR racing, spending time in the outdoors and being with his family. He loved his time vacationing every year in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with family and friends.

Claude was preceded in death by his parents, sister Jo Anne Wilson and granddaughter Amber McGaughey.

Claude is survived by his wife, Carolyn, son Brian (Dana), son Bruce (Annette), daughter Anita McGaughey (David) and son Brent (Kimberly). Claude was known as Papaw by his beloved grandchildren and they are: Nathan (Mikki), Nicholas (Natalie) and Nicole (AJ Jones) Fowler, Amy (Bryan Mier), Angela (Nick Brewer) and Auna McGaughey, Casey (Briley Worthington) and Ciera (Jace Lynch) Fowler, Chandler and MacKenzie (Holton Hufstedler) Fowler. He was proud to be a papaw to 15 great-grandchildren. Also surviving is a sister Sharon Baldwin.

He was a member of the Brick Chapel United Methodist Church, 3547 N. U.S. 231, Greencastle.

Services will be held 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19 at Brick Chapel United Methodist Church with Pastor Scott Kallem officiating. The family will look forward to greeting everyone during visitation at the church from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Riley Children’s Hospital, https://www.rileychildrens.org/about/ways-to-give, 705 Riley Hospital Drive, Room 4510, Indianapolis, IN 46202 and Putnam County Community Foundation 4-H Livestock Scholarship, https://putnamccf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1199

Memories may be shared with the family at www.BittlesandHurt.com.