Ruth Arlene (Detwiler) Bowman

Ruth Arlene Bowman, 97, of Columbiana, died July 30 from complications of congestive heart failure. At her side were her immediate family members who had accompanied her during a week of hospitalization.

Born July 4, 1924, at home on a farm in Beaver Township, Mahoning County, she was the daughter of John W. and Vertie M. (Lehman) Detwiler.  She was married at her home on July 3, 1948, to Paul E. Bowman. Both were life-long members of Midway Mennonite Church, Columbiana.

Immediately after graduating from North Lima High School she became a secretary at the Ohio Leather Company in Girard. She later worked in the secretarial pool at Mullins Mfg. in Salem, in the administrative office at Canfield High School, then as bookkeeper for Witmer Implement Company west of Columbiana for many years.

Ruth volunteered as church secretary at Midway, where she also taught Vacation Bible School, Sunday School, and—with Paul—helped to lead the church youth group for a time. She served as a distribution volunteer and treasurer of the South Range Council of Church of Community (3Cs) in its early days. She cherished her evenings with the Happy Eights Card Club, carrying on friendship with these Mullins co-workers for 55 years, starting in 1953.

She grew up working on her family’s diversified farm and continued extensive gardening during her child-rearing years on a farm on Middletown Road in Green Township. She was an engaging encourager to her neighbors, children, grandchildren, extended family, and friends.

She is survived by Paul, her husband of 73 years, now living at The Meadows at Covington, East Palestine; son Greg (Ellen) Bowman of Greenford; daughter Lori (Mark) Graber of Delavan IL; and son-in-law John Bowman of Cambridge MA; grandchildren Janna, Benjamin, and Maria Bowman; Eli, Hannah, Paul, and Rachel Graber; and Sarah and Phil Bowman; and 10 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Esther Marie Detwiler; her brother, John Herbert Detwiler; and her daughter, Joanne.

Visitation will be held outdoors at 10 a.m. Saturday in the pavilion of the Midway Mennonite Church, 13376 Columbiana-Canfield Road, Columbiana. A memorial service at 11 a.m. will be held in a tent near the pavilion, followed immediately by a time of open sharing of memories.  Out of an abundance of love for one another, all those attending are asked to wear protective face masks and observe respectful distance as COVID safety measures. Memorial contributions may be given to Midway Mennonite Church or the Mennonite Mission Network.

The family has entrusted Seederly-Mong & Beck Funeral Home in Columbiana with the arrangements for their loved one.

Family and friends are invited to visit www.seederly-mongandbeck.com to sign the guestbook or send private condolences.

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