Eleanore Marie Bowman

The heavens opened up and brought home one of their angels Friday evening, July 8.TH Love, laughter and life was the essence of Eleanore.

Eleanore Marie Bowman, 87 of Union, MI was born August 17, 1928 to Frederick N. and Edith Hulda (Konneck) Richardson. Surviving are her husband Harry O. Bowman of Union; 2 sons, Kurt (Laura) Bowman and Brent (Stephanie) Bowman both of Union; 2 daughters, Susan H. Murry of Vail, CO and Trudy Baker of Union; 6 grandchildren, Chad Bowman, Jacob (Vickie) Bowman, Heather Murry, Faye Bowman, Brittany Bowman and Haley Bowman; 3 great-grandchildren, Brayden Burke, Lauren and Katherine Burke, and a sister, Norma Weaver of Elkhart. She was preceded in death by a brother, Frederick Richardson and a sister, Jane Flora.

She touched so many lives, and everyone who met her loved her. Eleanore never spoke a cross word, always found the good in everyone, and saw the positive side in every situation. She had a sense of humor and love of life which was contagious. Love of nature, flowers, and a protector of the environment was a passion.
Eleanore was born on the Richardson family farm in Union, Michigan. She graduated from Elkhart High School and played the violin in the orchestra. She attended Michigan State University and received highest honors in Horticulture. Her first job was at CTS in Elkhart. Eleanore married Harry O. Bowman September 30, 1951. Eleanore and family moved to California in 1957 then on to Maryland. They lived on the family farm for several years and eventually settled back in the Elkhart area in 1969. She and her husband started Stiles, Inc., a supplier of wood products to the RV industry in 1978.

She was a homemaker and also the beloved school bus driver at Baldwin Prairie Elementary in Union, Michigan. She was an active member of the Union Garden Club for many years. Attended Union Baptist Church and Bristol United Methodist Church. She co-authored with Charlotte Fletcher the book, The Windsong of Baldwin Prairie: A history of the Baldwin Lake area and Union, Michigan.

Visitation for Eleanore will be from 4-7 pm Wednesday, July 13th at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, Elkhart, where a memorial service will be held at 7 pm. Pastor Fred Stayton will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Shriner's Children's Hospital at www.shrinershospitalforchildren.org, or The Women's and Children's Shelter of Elkhart County at www.ywcancin.org.

Online condolences may be sent to www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com.