Barbara Ann Bowlin
Barbara Ann Bowlin, known affectionately to all as Nonnie, embarked on her final journey on November 9, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of laughter, love, and the sweet aroma of her famous baked goods. Born on June 1, 1941, in the quaint town of Peru, Indiana, Barb's zest for life and infectious smile began brightening the world from an early age.
Barb's story is one of a life well-lived and well-loved. She was the heart and soul of her family, born to the late James and Lucille Butcher. Her departure has left an unfillable void in the lives of her children, Kimberly Renee Wilson (Brian), Butch Bowlin (Missy), Michael Bowlin, Pam Bowlin, and Becky Pyle (Steve). Her grandchildren, who were the apple of her eye—Brian Wilson II, Zachary Bowlin, Amanda Smith, AJ Bowlin, David Bowlin, Cassidy Bowlin, Shauna White, Jessica Burgess, Chelsie Litton, Owen Smith, Oakley Smith, and a whopping 30 great-grandchildren—will carry on her legacy of humor and warmth. Barb's sisters, Shirley Mutchler and Martha Winterrowd, along with numerous nieces and nephews, will miss her dearly. She was reunited in the great beyond with her beloved husband Albert, her siblings Myra Jean, Mary Clemons, Lucille Dunn, James Butcher Jr., and her cherished grandson Nicholas Bowlin.
Barb's work ethic was as strong as her coffee, which she needed to fuel her through a career that spanned from IMMI to Chrysler, and from Dirilyte to BJ's Dress Shop and Create a Cake. She was a Jill-of-all-trades, and her colleagues knew her as the life of the workplace, always ready with a quip and a smile, even on a Monday morning.
Her interests were as varied as the ingredients in her pantry. Barb loved nothing more than a day at the apple orchard, picking the perfect fruits for her legendary pies. Traveling was her way of collecting stories, and bargain shopping was her sport of choice—she could spot a deal from three aisles away. Her baking and cooking were the stuff of family legend, and making candy was her way of spreading sweetness in the world. But let's be honest, her grandkids were the real reason she whipped up those treats—they were the sugar in her tea, the icing on her cake.
Barb was the embodiment of loving, generous, and friendly. She never met a stranger, only friends she hadn't yet made laugh. Her generosity wasn't just in her actions, but in her spirit; she gave of herself in every smile, every joke, and every perfectly timed punchline. Her warmth could thaw the coldest Midwestern winter day, and her friendliness was the kind that could turn a frown upside down.
As we bid farewell to Barb, let's not dwell on the silence she leaves behind, but rather fill it with the echoes of her laughter. Let's honor her memory by living as she did—with open hearts, open doors, and maybe a little too much sugar in the cookie dough. Barb's final curtain call was not a somber affair, but a standing ovation for a performance that brought joy to all who were lucky enough to be in her audience.
So, here's to Barbara Ann Bowlin, a woman who lived her life like it was a comedy special, leaving us all with aching sides and full hearts. She's probably up there right now, bargaining with the angels for a better pair of wings and teaching them the secret to her chocolate fudge. Barb, you were one of a kind, and you will be profoundly missed. Curtain down, applause roaring, and in the words of the great comedians you emulated, "Goodnight, folks!"
A celebration of life for Barbara will be held on Sat., Nov. 16, from 2-4 p.m. at Bona Vista, 1220 E. Laguna St., Kokomo, Ind. City of Firsts Cremation and Funeral Services was entrusted with the arrangements. www.cityoffirstscremations.com
Devontae Douglas David
Devontae Douglas David, age 28, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away on Thursday, November 7, 2024. Devontae was born in Kokomo, Indiana.
A time of visitation for Devontae will be held Monday, November 18, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Ellers Mortuary, 725 S. Main Street, Kokomo, Indiana 46901, followed by a funeral service at 7:00 PM.