Charlotte Bowman

BOWMAN, Charlotte M. age 99, of Kettering passed away Saturday April 20, 2013. Born July 16, 1913 in her parent-built farmhouse located in Richland Twp., IN, she was one of five children the second child of 3 boys & 2 girls. She went to a one-room schoolhouse 7 years, then finished her grade school in a consolidated building. In the summer after her high school graduation, her older brother, Walter, who had just completed his first college year, drowned. Working her way through a two-year, Christian college, she received her teaching certificate & taught at the same school she attended for her 7th & 8th grade. She met her future husband, Russell, while attending college to attain her Bachelor's Degree in elementary & primary grades. After 6 years they married on January 12, 1941 & moved to Upland, IN. Eventually they moved to Ft Wayne, IN where she taught & bore 3 children, David Lee, Sharon, & Ronald. Unfortunately, while Russell was still in the Navy (WWII), preemie David Lee was born, but lived only 3 days. Upon Russell's completion of service, they moved to Lafayette, IN to work on their Master's Degrees at the Purdue University. In 1952, the Bowman family moved to Yellow Springs, OH, where Charlotte taught in Tecumseh School in Xenia, OH. In 1958, we moved to Kettering, OH where she finished out a year teaching in Fairborn, OH & taught at Orchard Park School in Kettering, OH for 13 years. After Russell passed away in 1977, she taught 2 more years in Orchard Park School, then retired from teaching. She volunteered 2 days per week at Kettering Medical Center for 33 years in the Admitting & Discharge departments, where she became known as "The Brownie Lady". She, also, became knowledgeable with several of the hospital's other departments, duties, personnel & Patients. As a Kettering resident for many years, she attended Christ United Methodist Church. She was involved with church activities, bazaars, and meetings of the Woman's Group and Sunday school classes. She was also predeceased by her parents, Wilbur & Inez Highley; two brothers, Walter and Llowel; and a sister, Vera. Survivors include her daughter, Sharon; her son, Ron; three grandchildren, David, DeeJay and Barbara; and six great-grandchildren, Courtney, Matthew, Donovan, Tommy, Alli and Christian. There will be a funeral service 2pm Wednesday at The Westbrock Funeral Home, 5980 Bigger Road. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 1-2pm at the funeral home. Burial will be private for family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Arthritis Foundation or Vitas Hospice.