Joanne L. Bowen, 89, of Van Wert, died Sunday, March 1, 2020, at Van Wert Health. She was born January 23, 1931 in Lima, Ohio, the daughter of the late Robert D. and Pearl (Mace) Arnold. On Jan. 26, 1953 she married Charles I. Bowen who preceded her in death Nov. 5, 1997.
She is survived by her children; Robin J. (Daniel) Kill of Delphos, Ohio and Charles D. “Rick” (Barbara) Bowen of Pandora, Ohio- grandchildren Michael (Sarah) Kill, Denise (Asa) Donaldson, and Shawn (Ashtyn) Kill plus 8 great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind a cousin, Helen Mace Keith who was more like a sister to her as they grew up together.
Joanne was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School for 31 years. It was in this beginners class of little 4 and 5 year olds where she took the opportunity to introduce Bible stories of God, Jesus, and faith into their young lives. She was always very good with children and seemed to be the “neighborhood mom” to all the friends of her kids as they were growing up.
She had a love of animals, especially cats in general and HER specific cats, Ariel and Kadee. Currently the animal that was special to her is her son’s dog, Dunkin. Another love of hers was shopping and collecting so many things. She never met too many purses that she did not like. She loved her home and decorated it with lovely things. She lived her last 4 plus years at Vancrest where she was dearly loved by the staff. She decorated her room and made it her own. She fit in and enjoyed living there with new friends both in other residents and in the staff that took great care of her. She was always so easy to get along with and had a great attitude and good nature about her. She will be so missed by so many but especially by her family to whom she meant so much.
Funeral Services will be conducted at 11:00 AM Saturday, March 7, 2020 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church with Pastor Will C. Haggis II officiating. Burial will follow in Woodland Cemetery. Friends may call at Brickner Funeral Home Friday, March 6 from 4 – 7 PM and at St. Mark’s Saturday from 9 AM to time of service at 11:00 AM.
Preferred Memorials are to the Ohio SPCA and St. Jude’s Hospital. 
