Mar'Lyn Cowan was born December 9, 1917 in Brashear, Missouri and passed away February 15, 2014 in Springfield, MO. She married Louis W. Cowan in 1942 and had 3 daughters: Carol (Bob) Newman, Springfield, MO.; Mary Lou (Jim) Sunderland, Steamboat Springs, CO; and Nancy (Nick) Appelhans, Hudson, CO; 6 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death was her husband of 58 years, 2 brothers, and 1 grandson. Mar'Lyn graduated from Springfield High School and received bachelor and master degrees from Drury University. She began her teaching career immediately after receiving certification from Missouri State Teacher's College. In 1942 she married Louis Cowan and spent the next 15 years at home being a mother. In 1957, with all her daughters in school, she began her 20 year teaching career with Springfield Public Schools. After 1 year at Central High School, she transferred to Parkview High School to teach journalism. Her only journalism experience had been a journalism class and work on the high school paper 24 years before. So she gave herself a crash course, attended a journalism workshop during the summer, and got to work. She taught journalism for 16 years. Under her guidance, Parkview's publications consistently won top ratings. In 1972 she was named Journalism Teacher of the Year by the Missouri Publications Advisors' Association. She loved her job and her students. They honored her in return with their love and respect. After retiring from teaching, Mar'Lyn and Louis traveled extensively, visiting every state in the US and several Canadian provinces. She loved traveling, playing golf, dinners out, and card games with her husband, children, and dear friends. Mar'Lyn was an active member of Central Christian Church. Over the years she served her church as a Sunday school teacher for almost all age groups, sang in the choir, and participated in the activities of the Christian Women's Fellowship. Mar'Lyn was a member of P.E.O Chapter FU. Her family appreciates the excellent care Mar'Lyn received from the staff at the Manor at Elfindale and Hospice Compassus. Visitation will be held at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, 1947 E. Seminole, Thursday, February 20, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Graveside service is Friday, February 21, 10:00 a.m. at Missouri Veterans Cemetery with the Celebration of Life following at 1:00 p.m., Central Christian Church, 1475 N. Washington, Springfield, Mo. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Central Christian Church Memorial Fund.