Vinal Bowyer, 93, Of Peru, Indiana, passed away at Miller’s Merry Manor, Peru, Indiana, on Friday, March 10, 2017. He was born in Cass County, Indiana on October 23, 1923, the son of Donald C. and Mary Nead Bowyer. He married Marjorie Hessong on February 12, 1944 and she preceded him in death on November 7, 2015.
Vinal graduated from Bunker Hill High School in 1941 and took courses at Indiana University Kokomo in the 1960s. He was a lifelong Miami County farmer and was still active in farming at age 90. He was also a local businessman, involved in real estate, home building and land development. He was a substitute teacher for Maconaquah High School and a school bus driver for many years for Pipe Creek Township and Maconaquah schools.
He was a member of the Pipe Creek Church of the Brethren and also attended the Mexico Church of the Brethren. He was a regular Red Cross blood donor until he was no longer able to do so. He was passionate about visiting residents in nursing homes and visited residents in local homes every Sunday right up until he became a resident himself.
Vinal and Marjorie were married 71 years and were the parents of five children: Donald Bowyer, Carol Whybrew and Devita McClain, all of Peru, and Tania Mayer of Los Angeles, California and Marvene Riis of Pierre, South Dakota. They also enjoyed 10 grandchildren: Justin and Morgan Mayer, Gretchen Mehren, Krista Robbins, Kara Vernengo, Tamra Wilson, Lindsey Maple, Elliot Riis, Alayna Callahan, and Garth McClain; and 13 great-grandchildren: Riley, Declan, Adalynne, Miles, Lilly, Bauer, Aubrey, Brenna, Cohen, Sawyer, Lincoln, Christian and Alyssa.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Marjorie, and siblings, Glodene, Kenneth, Quentin, Clarice, Deloris, Lamoine, Darl, Glatis, Clayson, Larrabee, Kerlin and Joyce.
The family would like to thank all the loving caregivers at Miller’s Merry Manor, Dukes Hospital, St. Vincent Medical Group, and Guardian Angel Hospice for many years of caring. enelleer_afe
A service celebrating the life of Vinal Bowyer will be held Thursday, March 16, 2017 at 10:00 AM at Pipe Creek Church of the Brethren, 4483 W 400 S, Peru, IN, with Pastor David Jodry officiating. Burial will be in Metzger Cemetery. Family and friends will gather from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 15, at Allen Funeral Home in Bunker Hill.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made through the funeral home to the American Red Cross.
Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.FlowersLeedyAllen.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Allen Funeral Home.