St. George, Utah – Our beautiful wife, mother, sister and grandmother, Colleen Bowler Cannon, passed away at home October 19, 2016 after a two and a half year courageous battle with breast cancer. She was 68.
She was born September 13, 1948, along with her twin sister, Calleen, to Richard Truman Bowler and Helen Chadburn Bowler. They were the sixth and seventh children in the family. She was raised in Veyo, Utah and attended school in St. George. She had three children; Cola, Kerri and Clay.
Colleen married her soul mate, Michael Van Cannon on November 24, 2010 in the St. George LDS Temple. They were able to spend almost six wonderful years together. Along with that marriage, she gained four bonus daughters that meant the world to her: Nikohle (Darin) Humphries, Shan Cannon, Tracee (Kyle) Schneiter and Whitnee (Dustin) Holt. She also gained 12 step-children and one great-grandson.
She retired as an x-ray tech and phlebotomist from St. George clinic after 18 years. She also worked many years at Mountain View Animal Clinic with Dr. Richard Bagley and Dr. JC Hansen. She also worked for Dr. Craig Brinkerhoff at the Dixie Vet Clinic.
Colleen is preceded in death by her son, Clay Branham; her parents; two brothers: Jack Bowler and Kay Bowler; sister-in-law, Shirley Bowler; sister, Roma Staheli and brother-in-law, Bert Staheli.
She is survived by her husband, Mike; two daughters: Cola (Danny) Nelson and Kerri (Dave) Wright; five grandchildren: Coby (Megan) Eyre, Kylee (Ryan) Canfield, Kelbi (Spencer) Bailey, Carson Wright and Burklie Wright; and five great-grandchildren who she loved very much. She is also survived by her sisters: Wilma Leavitt, Mabel Welch, and her twin, Calleen (Art) Durfee; sister-in-law, Beverly Bowler; and many nieces and nephews.
Colleen was a devout and faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in many callings, her favorite being a primary teacher with Mike. She loved being outdoors and hiking. Her favorite place was the St. George LDS Temple. She loved the work she did there especially the sealings of family names. She is going to be greatly missed.
Funeral services will be Monday, October 24, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Veyo LDS Ward Chapel, 176 East Center Street, Veyo, Utah. Visitations will be held Sunday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 West St. George Blvd. and on Monday, prior to services, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the chapel. Interment will be in the Veyo Cemetery.
The family would like to thank the medical and hospice community who have been so kind and loving to Colleen throughout this experience.