Riley 1952 Paul E Bowers

Apr. 13, 1934 - July 3, 2016

SOUTH BEND - Paul E. Bowers passed away Sunday, July 3, 2016, at home. He was surrounded by his family and friends. He was born April 13, 1934 (Good Friday) to Helen & I.T. Bowers, who preceded him in death. Paul graduated from Riley High School in 1952. He participated in football, basketball and wrestling. He was inducted into the Riley Hall of Fame for the sports and achievement he earned playing them. On January 18, 1953, at Zion Evangelical & Reformed Church, South Bend, he married Betty Hertel and they were soulmates for 63½ years.

Paul was drafted into the Army 1956-1958 and received awards for expert shooting (thinking he'd be in the infantry), and was shocked when he was assigned as a medic at a WAC training post. The Army days were very interesting. He was employed at UniRoyal Technology Corp. for 27 years in the shoe industry and in 1970 was transferred to Naugatuck, CT. On December 17, 1963, while at UniRoyal, he was awarded a patent for a shoe concept design. His employment also led him to work for R.G. Barry Corp. in Columbus, Ohio, and then another opportunity came up with Lowell Shoe Co. in Nashua, NH, where he retired as Vice President of Product Engineering. Paul loved working in the community and serving on different committees. A special one was serving on the Board of Education in Terryville, CT, and being able to present his daughter with her high school diploma. Paul also loved his church, Southlawn United Methodist, and for many years worked on committees and chaired most of them at one time or another. A favorite was being able to sing in the choir.

Surviving are his wife, Betty; daughter, Teri Lynne Bowers of Willoughby, OH; son, Michael Paul Bowers (Kathy) of Port St. Lucie, FL; sister, Marjorie Kinner and Fran Ritter (Ron), both of South Bend; grandson, Benjamin Paul Rusher of Willoughby, OH; and great-grandsons, Ayden Paul Rusher and Austin Trevor Rusher of OH.

Paul battled cancer for 20 years before passing into the arms of Jesus. The family would like to give their deepest regards to Aseracare Hospice, Elkhart, for the great team who guided him through his last journey, the doctors and nurses at Michiana Hematology Oncology, and the staff at Southfield Rehab. Center.

Services celebrating Paul's life will be at 3:00 p.m. Friday, July 8, 2016, at Southlawn United Methodist Church, South Bend, with Rev. Darrel Weaver officiating. The family will receive friends from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 South Michigan Street, South Bend, as well as one hour prior to the services on Friday at the church. Private burial will be at Southlawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made in Paul's memory to Southlawn United Methodist Church, PO Box 10043, South Bend, IN 46614; or to Aseracare Hospice, 700 E. Beardsley Ave., Suite 2B, Elkhart, IN 46514. Online condolences to the family may be sent to www.palmerfuneralhomes.com. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/southbendtribune/obituary.aspx?n=paul-e-bowers&pid=180571257&fhid=7078&eid=sp_ommatch#sthash.ym1XXJZm.dpuf