MARY ROSALENE BOWMAN

October 24, 1930 – June 26, 2023

 

ELKHART- Mary R. Bowman, 92, of Elkhart, passed away Monday, June 26, 2023. She was born October 24, 1930 to the late Val and Gladys (Heinbaugh) Brummett.

On February 19, 1949, she married the late Roy E. Bowman, he preceded her in death on April 12, 1984.

Survivors include 2 sons, Terry (Debra) Bowman, Alan (Denise) Bowman; 2 daughters, Valerie Ginther, Melinda (Dave) York; 10 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren and 15 great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by 1 brother, Val Brummett Jr.; 2 sisters, Regina Caraway and Helen Sullivan.

Mary was employed with the General Telephone Company for more than 38 years as a switchboard operator prior to her retirement.

Mary was a very hard worker.  She often told her children and lived by the mantra "It doesn't matter what you have as long as you take care of it".

She was dedicated to her family, taking care of family members through illness and life's rough patches.  Mary was always one of the first to respond to someone who needed help.  

As her children were growing up, she had an open-door policy to the neighborhood kids.  They'd sleep over.  She would feed them.  She wouldn't let anyone she knew be without food or shelter. 

Mary was an excellent cook.  She would often make her fabulous pineapple upside-down cake or homemade turtles.  There was always the wonderful aroma of cooking food coming from her kitchen.

If you asked her children to describe their mom, their responses were all the same, GIVING, ADORED BY FAMILY, GREAT MOM.

While the last years of her life were difficult suffering from Alzheimer's, she leaves her family with a sense of caring, love and appreciation.

The family will receive friends 1 hour prior to the 1:00 pm funeral service on Monday, July 3, 2023 at Walley-Mills-Zimmerman Funeral Home, 700 E. Jackson Blvd., Elkhart, IN, 46516. Chaplain Kevin Brintnall will officiate. Burial will follow in Rice Cemetery in Elkhart.