1935
James
2016
James Bowen
March 26, 1935 — November 29, 2016
James Allen Bowen, 81, of Reinbeck, passed away on Tuesday, November 29th 2016 at Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo due to natural causes. Visitation will be held on Friday December 2nd from 5 to 7 PM at the French-Hand Funeral Home in Reinbeck and will continue on Saturday morning, one hour prior to the funeral service. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 3rd at 10:30 AM at the Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Reinbeck. The burial will follow the funeral service at the Reinbeck Cemetery with military rites conducted by American Legion Post #242 of Reinbeck.
James was the first child born to Russell and Helen (Welch) Bowen on March 26, 1935. He attended school in Reinbeck, Iowa and graduated with the class of 1954. James served a 4 year tour of duty in the United States Air Force from 1955 to 1959, including 1 year stationed in Japan. On December 24, 1956, James was united in marriage to Harriet Krull and to this union 3 children were born. James began working at the Waterloo Corrugated Box Factory upon his discharge from the military, where he worked for 38 years, retiring in 1988.
Throughout life, James enjoyed fishing, camping, gardening, square dancing and spending time with his family. James had the privilege of going on the Honor Flight in September of 2015, which he and his family were very proud to be a part of.
James is survived by his wife Harriet of Reinbeck; children Michael (Cindy) Bowen of Amana, IA, Janet (Daniel) Bender of Waterloo, IA and Melvin (Christine) Bowen of Grundy Center, IA; 6 grandchildren Barbara, Katie, Madison, Carli, Sawyer and Lyndi; 2 great-grandchildren Mackenzie and Maxim; 3 brothers William, Marlyn & Robert Bowen and sister Judith Augustine. He was preceded in death by his parents.
James was the first child born to Russell and Helen (Welch) Bowen on March 26, 1935. He attended school in Reinbeck, Iowa and graduated with the class of 1954. James served a 4 year tour of duty in the United States Air Force from 1955 to 1959, including 1 year stationed in Japan. On December 24, 1956, James was united in marriage to Harriet Krull and to this union 3 children were born. James began working at the Waterloo Corrugated Box Factory upon his discharge from the military, where he worked for 38 years, retiring in 1988.
Throughout life, James enjoyed fishing, camping, gardening, square dancing and spending time with his family. James had the privilege of going on the Honor Flight in September of 2015, which he and his family were very proud to be a part of.
James is survived by his wife Harriet of Reinbeck; children Michael (Cindy) Bowen of Amana, IA, Janet (Daniel) Bender of Waterloo, IA and Melvin (Christine) Bowen of Grundy Center, IA; 6 grandchildren Barbara, Katie, Madison, Carli, Sawyer and Lyndi; 2 great-grandchildren Mackenzie and Maxim; 3 brothers William, Marlyn & Robert Bowen and sister Judith Augustine. He was preceded in death by his parents.
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