Obituary for Mary Jo Bowen
Mary Jo Bowen 91, born March 10, 1929 in Genoa, Ohio, received her wings March 18, 2020. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence M. and Flossie Ann (Dunn) Knowles and sister, Claris Mae Charmeda. She is survived by her daughter, Jeri Sue( Michael) Hinson of Brooksville, FL; a grandson; 2 great- grandchildren; sister, Annette Alderson; brother, William Knowles; several nephews and nieces and special niece, Karen Anne Johnson.
She graduated from Wright’s Beauty Academy and later moved to California as a Navy Wife. When she returned to the Battle Creek area, she worked at Eaton Corporation until the plant closed in 1983. Mary then worked at the Federal Center, until a work related injury made for early retirement.
Mary Jo was a 60 year life member and past president of VFW post 565 Ladies Auxiliary. In 2008, she earned the highest auxiliary honor, the Chapel of Four Chaplains legion honor. She left behind a legacy of volunteering. She crocheted hats and baby sweaters for newborns for Oaklawn Hospital in Marshall and Bronson of Battle Creek. She was known as a “Holiday Hat Lady”. She volunteered at Burnham Brook on the entertainment and membership committees, as well as numerous charities. Mary is a former member of the Red Cross DAT team, former member of the REACT club, and clowns club. She was also very active in cleaning monuments, planting flowers and pulling weeds around them.
Her hands were never still. She was always busy crafting, knitting, crocheting, and gardening. She made bird houses and enjoyed watching and feeding birds all year long. She loved the Lord and was a long time member of Battle Creek First Assembly of God on 24th street.
Interment will take place at Memorial Park cemetery and a Celebration of Life will take place at a later date.
She graduated from Wright’s Beauty Academy and later moved to California as a Navy Wife. When she returned to the Battle Creek area, she worked at Eaton Corporation until the plant closed in 1983. Mary then worked at the Federal Center, until a work related injury made for early retirement.
Mary Jo was a 60 year life member and past president of VFW post 565 Ladies Auxiliary. In 2008, she earned the highest auxiliary honor, the Chapel of Four Chaplains legion honor. She left behind a legacy of volunteering. She crocheted hats and baby sweaters for newborns for Oaklawn Hospital in Marshall and Bronson of Battle Creek. She was known as a “Holiday Hat Lady”. She volunteered at Burnham Brook on the entertainment and membership committees, as well as numerous charities. Mary is a former member of the Red Cross DAT team, former member of the REACT club, and clowns club. She was also very active in cleaning monuments, planting flowers and pulling weeds around them.
Her hands were never still. She was always busy crafting, knitting, crocheting, and gardening. She made bird houses and enjoyed watching and feeding birds all year long. She loved the Lord and was a long time member of Battle Creek First Assembly of God on 24th street.
Interment will take place at Memorial Park cemetery and a Celebration of Life will take place at a later date.