WAKARUSA — Wiman E. "Gene" Bowen, 88, of Wakarusa, passed away from natural causes at 1:40 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at Elkhart General Hospital.

He was born in Crawford County, Ill., on Feb. 16, 1926, to the late Virgil and Myrtle (Wiman) Bowen.

He married Juanita E. Crosby on Nov. 23, 1947, in LaPorte.

She survives him at home after nearly 67 wonderful years of marriage.

Also surviving are his daughters, Cheryl Mast of Elkhart and Barbara Fox of Wyatt; sons Terry Bowen of Gooding, Idaho, and Roger (Karen Housour) Bowen of Wakarusa; his brother, Forest Bowen of Fort Wayne; six grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

A son-in-law, Mark Fox, preceded him in death.

A celebration of Gene's life will begin with a viewing from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, at Billings Funeral Home of Elkhart. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 24, at Osceola Church of the Brethren, 58362 Beech Road, Osceola, with visitation beginning there one hour prior. Pastor Don Carroll will officiate. Burial will follow in Prairie Street Cemetery with the U.S. Air Force Funeral Honor Guard and the Goshen Veterans Honor Guard rendering graveside military honors.

Gene worked as the service manager at Mallard Coach of Elkhart nearly 10 years before retiring in 1991. Before that, he worked nearly 20 years for Allis-Chalmers of LaPorte.

He was a member of the Goshen VFW 985 and Osceola Church of the Brethren. He enjoyed working, spending time outdoors and cross stitching. He served as a mechanic in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II.

Memorial donations may be made to the church. Online condolences may reach the family at www.billingsfuneralhome.com.

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