Wanda Carolyn (Barker) Bowman

Wanda Carolyn Bowman, of Ashville, OH passed peacefully from the loving hands of family to the eternal embrace of her Lord on Tuesday, December 12, 2023.  She was born August 7, 1941 to the late Ora and Rose Barker in Centralia, IL. Her father’s work in the oil fields took the family to multiple states, until Lancaster, Ohio became their permanent home. Wanda was a 1959 graduate of Lancaster High School. She enjoyed work at Isaly’s Dairy upon graduation until making a career at the Savings Bank in Circleville, Ohio shortly after marrying Paul.  They began their Pickaway County life in a quaint home on Watt Street from which they could walk to their downtown workplaces. Over the next several years, they both put in countless evening and weekend hours building a home on a nearby country lot. With the home finished in 1969, they moved and made memories there for 54 years.

Once children arrived, Wanda exchanged work days at the bank for being a full time homemaker, room mother, PTO president and all around one woman family support system. She continued her maternal role as a doting grandmother and took advantage of any opportunity to be with them. The memories, lessons and laughs she shared with them will be forever treasured.

Wanda was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Paul Bowman; her son James F. Bowman and her sister Patricia Shonk. Wanda is survived by her daughter Carolyn (Jim) Park; granddaughters Lauren, Gabby, Samantha and Olivia; brother Don Barker and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

Visitation with family will be held at Village Chapel Church, Ashville on Monday December 18th from 5-7 p.m. with Funeral Service at 7:00 p.m. with Pastor Kevin Pees officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Central Ohio chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).  Arrangements and Care of Family by Oliver-Cheek Funeral Home, Ashville.  Online condolences may be made at olivercheekfuneralhome.com