Loren Ray Bowman

Loren Ray Bowman, 63, of Cloverdale passed away on Monday, Dec. 15, 2008 at 2:05 p.m. at his daughter's home in Cunot.

He was born on June 8, 1945 in Monroe County, to the late Dernal Calvin and Veneta Mae Livingston Bowman.

On June 16, 1966 he married his wife and best friend, Brenda Joyce Suter and she survives.

He was a 1963 graduate of Martinsville High School and a member of the General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn in Gosport. He had previously been a member of the Bowmen Archery Club in Bloomington, where he held several offices. During the 1980s, he was actively involved in the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts and was a little league baseball coach.

In addition to coaching and scouting, Loren enjoyed any and all outdoor activities, especially camping and hunting. He also loved to sing and bowl, but more importantly he was a family man.

During the 1960s and 1970s, he and his father were co-owners of Bowman's Service Station in Ellettsville. He later worked as a self-employed contractor throughout the 70s and 80s, building and remodeling many homes. In the 1990s, he began working at the Cloverdale Travel Plaza and retired in 2008.

He is survived by five sons; Loren Bowman Jr. of Spring Valley, Ill., Timothy Bowman of Indianapolis, Nathanael Bowman of Cape Coral, Fla., Jarrod Bowman of Terre Haute and Bradley Bowman of Cloverdale; two daughters, Kimberly Koch of Phillipsburg, N.J. and Heather Nees of Cloverdale; 20 grandchildren; four brothers, Ben and Sam Bowman, both of Spencer; Dan Bowman of Texas and Joe Bowman of Gosport; six sisters, Beverly Wrightsman of Spencer, Lois Powell and Lydia Mason, both of Bloomington, Leah Leeman of Arcadia, Patty Leeman of Morgantown and Susan Addie of Gosport.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Barbara J. Bowman; two grandchildren; three brothers, Victor, Jim and Anthony Bowman; and one sister, Alice Bowman.

Family and friends may call on Thursday, Dec. 18 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Neal and Summers Funeral and Cremation Center in Martinsville. Brother Paul Williams will conduct a Celebration of Life Service on Friday, Dec. 19 at 10 a.m. at Neal and Summers. Burial will be in Liberty Cemetery in Gosport.

Memorial donations may be made in lieu of flowers to the family to help defray the funeral expenses c/o Neal and Summers, 110 E. Poston Rd., Martinsville, IN 46151.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.nealandsummers.com