Herbert Vance Rowden, age 96, of Vienna, was born November 6, 1926, at Maries County, a son of Clarence Ovid and Jessie Jewel (McKee) Rowden, and passed from this life Thursday, March 16, 2023, at Phelps Health, Rolla.

On May 30, 1945, he entered active federal service in the United States Army where he served until October 26, 1946, when he was honorably discharged at the rank of Tech Corporal (TEC 5).  A man of excellent character, his "Honorable Discharge" is a testimony of selfless and dedicated service to his country.

Herbert was united in marriage July 3, 1947, at St. Louis, to the former Miss Eugenia "Jane" Marie Veasman, and to this union eleven children were born.

He was a member of the Holy Guardian Angels Catholic Church and American Legion Post 354, both in Brinktown.

In his younger years Herbert enjoyed coon and coyote hunting. He loved to listen to bluegrass music, spend time with family, especially his grandchildren, and great grandchildren on the family farm.

Herbert and Jane came back to Maries County in 1951, and purchased their family farm outside of Brinktown, where they raised their eleven children, and he started his farming career. While farming, Herbert was also employed with the Brown Shoe Company, Dixon, for 30 plus years.

Those left to mourn the passing of Herbert include:  his six sons, Ronnie "Ron" Rowden and wife, Elizabeth, of Vienna, Donald "Donnie" Rowden and wife, Peggy, of Dixon, Dennis Rowden and wife, Dot, of Vienna, Bryan Rowden and wife, Wilma, of Meta, Doug Rowden and wife, Rose Mary, of Brinktown, and Roger Rowden and wife, Amy, of Vienna; three daughters, Marilyn Blackwell, of Pocahontas, Arkansas, Judy Slone and husband, Mike, of Dixon, and Brenda Rollins, of Dixon; twenty-three grandchildren, thirty-eight great-grandchildren, and 3 more expected in 2023; one brother, Wilburn Rowden, of Holts Summit; one sister, Carol Ann Miller and husband, Lewis, of Dixon; brother-in-law, Donley Veasman, and wife, Charlotte, of Dixon; three sisters-in-law, Lois Rowden, of Meta, Bernice Veasman, of Brinktown, and Agnes Wilson, of St. Louis; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-one years, Jane, July 13, 2008; two sons , Michael Rowden, July 30, 2011, and Bruce Rowden,  March 3, 2019; two grandsons, Timothy Lee Rowden, January 6, 1989, and Travis Perkins, April 15, 2013; one granddaughter, Melissa Kay Slone, June 3, 1995; one daughter-in-law, Alice Rowden, November 10, 2005; one son-in-law, Harold Blackwell, June 8, 2016; his father, Ovid, July 22, 1952; his mother, Jessie, May 29, 1959; one brother, Harold Rowden, November 7, 2019; two sisters, Dorris Finn, November 3, 1951, and Jean Vaughan, October 21, 2002;  six brothers-in-law, Victor Vaughan, December 6, 1995, Joe Finn, January 4, 1989, John Veasman, April 21, 2013, and wife, Mildred, January 3, 2008, Albin Veasman, February 9, 2006, and wife, Mae, September 6, 2014, Claude Veasman, March 12, 2015, and Arthur Wilson; one sister-in-law, Launa Rowden, August 14, 2016.

Visitation for Mr. Herbert Vance Rowden will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Holy Guardian Angels Catholic Church, 37487 Highway N, Brinktown, Mo 65443, with his Mass of Christian Burial following at 11:00 a.m. in the church with Rev. Basil Tigga as the celebrant and Deacon Michael Brooks assisting, under the direction of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, Vienna.

Interment with full military honors will be beside his loving wife in Holy Guardian Angels Cemetery. Pallbearers for Mr. Herbert Rowden will be Matt Rowden, William Rowden, Dustin Slone, Curt Rowden, Dalton Rowden, Jesse Rollins, Trent Rowden, and Chris Rowden. Honorary pallbearers will be Sam Rowden, Glen Rowden, Dylan Rowden, Branden Roark, and Caleb Slone.

Memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Herbert Vance Rowden are suggested for Masses, the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741, or to the Holy Guardian Angels Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund with envelopes available at the church on the day of his service or in care of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, P.O. Box 250, Vienna, Mo 65582.

Online condolences may be shared with the family of Mr. Herbert Vance Rowden at www.birminghammartinfuneralhomes.com