DaytonDailyNews.com

ENGLEWOOD — Hundreds turned out Thursday, Aug. 7, to honor the memory of Mayor Dr. Michael Bowers in the way he would have liked — in a partylike atmosphere with food and drink.

About 600 people gathered at the city's government center to pay respects to Bowers, who served on City Council 18 years and served 10 years as mayor.

Bowers, who also had a thriving optometry practice in Englewood since 1974, died Monday, Aug. 4, at Sunrise Assisted Living in Englewood. He was 60.

He was cremated Thursday.

The family catered food and drink to the government center to make it less of a somber event and more of a party — something his daughter, Stephanie Bowers, said they had talked about before he died and that he wanted.

"He didn't want people to be sad or suffer," she said. "He wanted them to all come and have a good time."

City Manager Eric Smith said he couldn't recall anybody running against Bowers.

"Everybody knew him and everybody liked him. He really had his heart in this community and between him and (previous mayor) Ed Kemper, Englewood is what it is today."

In council chambers, Bowers' portrait sat where he normally would. A video was set up in the room, which also was adorned with pictures and clippings that depicted the memories of his lifetime.

The memorial service is 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 8, at Concord United Methodist Church, 1123 S. Main St., Englewood.