The Rev. Vernon H. Bowers; 76; of Bridgeville; died Tuesday; Oct. 23; 2001; in St. Clair Hospital; Pittsburgh. A son of the late Howard and Lillian Montgomery Bowers; he was born in Belle Vernon; April 2; 1925. The Rev. Bowers was a member of the Mt. Lebanon Christian Church; the Masonic Lodge and the Order of the Scottish Rite. He was a graduate of North Belle Vernon High School; Johnson Bible College and had earned two degrees from Butler University. He had served several churches; including churches in Monessen; Dayton; Ohio; Marion; Ind.; and Mt. Lebanon; from which he retired; in 1992. He was an interim pastor in Brownsville; Uniontown; Greensburg; Monongahela; Washington and Bethel Park; all in Pa. He served for several years as chaplain of St. Clair Hospital Rehabilitation Center. He had also been on several committees for the national; regional and local Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and ecumenical projects. He was a current board member of the Thomas Campbell Apartments in Washington; Pa. The Rev. Bowers was known for his wisdom; warmth and wit. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by his wife; Ellamae Owens Bowers; Aug. 23; 2001; and a brother; Melvin Bowers; Dec. 1995. Survivors include three sons and daughters-in-law; the Rev. Howard E. and the Rev. Saundra Michael-Bowers; of Indianapolis; Ind.; the Rev. Kevin and Diane Bowers; of Weirton; W.Va.; and V. Paul and Janet Bowers; of Pittsburgh; and two grandchildren; Julia and James Bowers; of Pittsburgh. Friends will be received Friday from 10 to 11 a.m.; the time of prayers; in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC.; 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. A memorial service will be held Sunday at 4 p.m. in the Mt. Lebanon Christian Church; corner of Cedar Boulevard and Hollycrest Drive; Pittsburgh. In lieu of flowers; the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Mt. Lebanon Christian Church; Vernon and Ellamae Bowers Memorial Fund.