EAST DUBUQUE, Ill. -- Ellery D. "Tex" Fowler, 76, of 691 Clinton St., East Dubuque, went to be with the Angels Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009, at home after a brief but rugged battle with cancer.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, at Miller Funeral Home, 1185 Route 35 North, East Dubuque, where friends may call after noon Tuesday. Military honors will be accorded by members of the Dubuque Marine Corps. League.

He was born on Aug. 22, 1933, in Roosevelt, Okla., son of Cornelius and Helen (Anthony) Fowler.

He was a veteran of the Marine Corps., serving during the Korean Conflict. Upon completion of his service, he married Pauline Lois Wilson, of Milford, Mass.

They began married life in Dubuque in 1955, where Ellery was employed at the former Dubuque Packing Co. for 20 years. They later moved to East Dubuque.

He was a member of the Dubuque Archery Club.

Ellery was a popular lead guitarist with several local bands and had a love of motorcycles. He also was an avid deer hunter, fisherman and enjoyed many family camping trips. In later years, Ellery liked building rustic furniture in his garage.

Surviving are his wife of 54 years, Pauline; four children, Ellery Jr., Judith (friend, Mark Patterson) Klein, Carolyn (Tim) Jones and Tina Fowler; 11 grandchildren, Cory Meier, Candace Meier, Jessica Sanches, Jeremy Fowler, Jason Klein, Jamie Klein, Joshua Klein, Krystal Klein, Kristi Dix, Brooklynn Amling and Nicholas Fowler; and 15 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Maxine Lemons.