John David Rowe, 85, 1106 Grace Court, Monticello, died Friday, April 3, in St. Elizabeth Hospital, Lafayette.

He was born Dec. 21, 1906, near Otterbein in Benton County, to John and Amelia Marie Pfeiffer Rowe. He was married June 24, 1934, to Mary Kathryn Minch, who survives.

He moved from Chicago, in April 1972, to Monticello.

He attended Otterbein School through his sophomore year and graduated from Chalmers High School in 1926.

He joined S.S. Kresge in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1928. He was an assistant manager at Detroit; Dunkirk, N.Y.; Olean, N.Y.; Scranton, Pa.; and Dayton, Ohio. He joined Sears Roebuck Co. in Detroit, Mich., in 1939, and transferred to Chicago in 1944. He was national retail sales manager of office, photo, stationary, books and school supplies. In 1953, he became the national retail sales manager of ladies lingerie and ladies hosiery. He retired from Sears, July 1, 1969.

He was confirmed in the Lutheran Church.

Survivors also include a daughter, Mrs Mary Jane Cordill, Elmira, N.Y.; two sons, L. John C., Bothell, Wash. and M. David M., West Lafayette; a sister, Mrs Gladys Roadruck, Brookston; and five grandchildren. A brother is deceased.

A memorial service was conducted Tuesday at Hartzler Funeral Home, Brookston with the Rev. Gene Ansell officiating.

Inurnment was in Chalmers Community Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.