Joanne L. Bowen

Joanne L. Bowen, 89, of Van Wert, died Sunday, March 1, 2020, at Van Wert Health.  

She was born January 23, 1931, in Lima, the daughter of Robert D. and Pearl (Mace) Arnold, who both preceded her in death. On January 26, 1953, she married Charles I. Bowen, who died November 5, 1997.  

She is survived by her children, Robin J. (Daniel) Kill of Delphos and Charles D. “Rick” (Barbara) Bowen of Pandora; three grandchildren, Michael (Sarah) Kill, Denise (Asa) Donaldson, and Shawn (Ashtyn) Kill; and eight great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind a cousin, Helen Mace Keith, who was more like a sister to her as they grew up together.

Joanne was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Van Wert, where she taught Sunday school for 31 years. It was in this Beginners Class of little 4- and 5-year-olds where she took the opportunity to introduce Bible stories of God, Jesus, and faith into their young lives. She was always very good with children and seemed to be the “neighborhood mom” to all the friends of her kids as they were growing up.

She had a love of animals, especially cats in general and her specific cats: Ariel and Kadee. Currently, the animal that was special to her is her son’s dog, Dunkin. Another love of hers was shopping and collecting so many things. She never met too many purses that she did not like. She loved her home and decorated it with lovely things. She lived her last four plus years at Vancrest Health Care Center where she was dearly loved by the staff. She decorated her room and made it her own. She fit in and enjoyed living there with new friends, both in other residents and in the staff that took great care of her. 

She was always so easy to get along with and had a great attitude and good nature about her. She will be so missed by so many but especially by her family to whom she meant so much.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 7, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, with Pastor Will C. Haggis II officiating. Burial will follow in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.  

Visitation is from 4-7 p.m. Friday, March 6, at Brickner Funeral Home in Van Wert and from 9 a.m. until the time of services Saturday at the church.

Preferred memorials: Ohio Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or St. Jude’s Hospital.