Dorothy M. (Nitchman) Bowen

YORK - Dorothy M. (Nitchman) Bowen, 82, passed away Thursday, May 20, 2010 at York Hospital. She was the loving wife of Lyle H. Bowen, to whom she was married to for 59 years. A funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at Christ Lutheran Church, 29 S. George Street, York, PA, 17401 with her pastor, the Rev. Patrick J. Rooney officiating. Viewings will be held 6-8:00 p.m. Monday, at Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 1551 Kenneth Road, York, and 9-10:00 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Burial will be held in Union Cemetery, East Berlin. Mrs. Bowen was born June 6, 1927 in East Berlin, a daughter of the late Calvin J. and Cora E. (Gentzler) Nitchman. She was a 1945 graduate of William Penn High School and a 1949 graduate of Susquehanna University. She continued her education at Penn State University and Millersville University where she received her teaching certifications. Mrs. Bowen then went on to teach at York City Elementary Schools and retired in 1988 from Jackson Elementary. She was also a former President of the Devers Elementary School PTA. Mrs. Bowen was a member of Christ Lutheran Church, and also a member of Ms. Froelich's Sunday school class. She was also a member of the York County Chapter PA Association of School Retirees, the Ladies Auxiliary, and the VFW Post #8951. She enjoyed gardening and was active with Girl Scouts as an assistant leader. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Bowen is survived by two sons, William C. Bowen and wife, Ruthanne of East Berlin, and James A. Bowen and wife, Lynda of Columbus, OH; two daughters, Patricia A. Horn and husband, Melchior, and Jennifer L. O'Dell all of York; 8 grandchildren, Melissa, Matthew, Harry, William, David, Cora, Erin, and Linda Marie; five great grandchildren; two nieces; a daughter-in-law Margaret Bowen; and sister-in-law, Carol Muscha and husband, Robert. She was preceded in death by a son, Lyle H. Bowen, Jr.; and a sister Mary Ida Wolf. In lieu of flowers memorial funds may be made to the Building Fund at Christ Lutheran Church.