Dean E. Bowman

Dean E. Bowman was generous, kind and loving. She was always willing to help others, never was a stranger to new neighbors and always had a had smile on her face.

The 1930's was mostly associated with the Great American Depression and President Franklin D. Roosevelt pledged to use the power of our government to make Americans' lives better, but there were many things going on in the 30's like the end of prohibition, the discovery of Pluto, airmail service across the Atlantic Ocean began and the invention of 3M's Scotch Tape were just a few things. As the nation entered the 3rd year of the Great Depression, Jesse and Laura Isabelle (Pheister) Braddock were happy to announce the birth of their daughter, Dean E. Braddock on May 9, 1931.

Dean grew up on the family farm in Whitley County, Indiana. She was one of eight girls and learned the value of hard work on the farm at a young age. While attending Columbia City High School, Dean worked as a waitress and met Pat Bowman. On October 25, 1948, the young couple made the vow to spend the rest of their lives together and several years later they welcomed two more additions into their lives, Penny and Dan.

Dean had worked to United Telephone as an operator for a few years. With a love for children, she dedicated 19 years watching many children at her own, Bowman's Daycare. Making connections with many families, Dean was named as a Godmother to several children. She loved having children around. With her own children, she was a loving mother and supportive of them. She always enjoyed going to watch them in their sporting events.

After retirement, she and Pat traveled the U.S. for 6 months and also delivered cars for Kelly Automotive. On other trips, they went on cruises, traveled to South America, Bahamas, Jamaica and even spent a month in Hawaii for their 50th wedding anniversary. They also enjoyed going to the Fort Wayne Civic Theater to watch the shows.

At 1:05 am Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at Miller's Merry Manor, Dean E. Bowman passed away in her sleep at the age of 88. She is survived by her daughter, Penny (Mike) Wright; grandchildren, Cassandra Marie Bowman McCormick, Koreasa (George) Williams, Tiffany Wright-Randolph and Clayton (Carrie) Wright; great-grandchildren, Flynn, Lillian, Mira, Gigi, Damarius, Maliyah and Gracie; sisters, Betty Dear, Sharon Rucker and Judy (Leroy) Slabach; brother-in-law, Glenn Western; and daughter-in-law, Kristen DeVittorio. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Pat Bowman on February 4, 2015; son, Dan Bowman on September 5, 2012; sisters, Phyllis Bowsman, Evelyn Egner, Francis Western and Bonnie Egner; and an infant great-grandson, Austin Michael Wright-Purdy.

Due to CDC's large community gathering guidelines, a private funeral service will be held for Dean's immediate family and siblings. She will be laid to rest beside her husband at Oak Grove Compton Cemetery. A gathering of family and friends will take place at a later date. Arrangements with DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Memorial gifts may be given in her memory to Columbia City United Methodist Church, American Legion Post 98 Bingo or VFW Post 5582 Bingo. Flowers may also be sent to the funeral home. Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send Dean's family online condolences, to watch her funeral service after it has taken place, or to send her family flowers.

To view Dean's service, please click the link below:
https://youtu.be/ghOv0HN1vo4