Bertha J. Bowman

Mrs. Bertha J. Bowman, age 78, died Thursday, November 20, 2008 in Muskegon. She was born in Commerce, MI to Lemuel and Beatrice (Knapp) Pace, and resided in both Muskegon and Merritt, MI during her life. Mrs. Bowman enjoyed making quilts for her family and gardening. On December 31, 1948 she married Carroll Bowman and he preceded her in death on October 25, 1998. SURVIVORS include 8 children, Kathleen (Harold) Preston of Muskegon, Marilyn (Ray) Hes of Grand Rapids, Buck (Sherry) Bowman of Twin Lake, Joan Bowman of E. Lansing, Nancy (Steve) Cook of Muskegon, Fred Bowman of Laingsburg, Ken (Becky) Bowman of Twin Lake, and Rebecca Bowman of Muskegon; 19 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and 1 great-great granddaughter; 3 brothers, Arthur (Emily) Knapp of Whitehall, Francis Pace of Portland, OR, and Joseph Pace of Falmouth, MI; sister, Barbara (Ivan) Loveless, Jr. of Falmouth, MI; 3 sisters-in-law, Aletha (Chuck) Ellsworth of Houghton Lake, MI, Mary Ann Bowman of Muskegon, and "Pinky" Deanna Pace of Falmouth, MI; 2 brothers-in-law, Larry Smith of Merritt, MI and Bill Goodwin of Houghton Lake, MI; aunt, Arta Kelly of Houghton Lake, MI; and many nieces and nephews. Mrs. Bowman was also preceded in death by an infant daughter; her brother, James Pace; and 2 sisters, Mary Goodwin and Carol Smith. SERVICES will be 3 PM Monday at The Lee Chapel Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc. 6291 S. Harvey St. 231-798-1100 with Rev. Steve Worth officiating. VISITATION with the family will be 6-8 PM Sunday, and 1 hour prior to the service, from 2-3 PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bertha's memory may be made to Alissa Ashley c/o Kelly and Tim Ashley at any National City Bank.