Betty L (Hertel) Bowers

October 16, 1934 ~ November 11, 2021 (age 87)

Betty L. Bowers, a lifelong resident of South Bend, passed away at 8:58 p.m. Thursday, November 11, 2021 at Memorial Hospital of South Bend.  She was 87 years old.

She was born October 16, 1934 in South Bend, a daughter of the late Charles & Blanche (Correll) Hertel, and was a graduate of Central High School.

On January 18, 1953 in South Bend, Betty was united in marriage to the love of her life, Paul E. Bowers.  Together, they enjoyed 63 years of marriage until Paul’s passing on July 3, 2016.  She was also preceded in death by her son, Michael Bowers on October 29, 2018, her sister and brother-in-law, Marjorie & Robert Koester, and her brother, Donald Hertel.

Betty is survived by her daughter, Teri Lynne Bowers of Mentor, OH; her grandson, Benjamin Rusher, and two great-grandchildren, Ayden and Austin.  Also surviving Betty are her two sisters-in-law, Fran (Ron) Ritter, and Marjorie Kinner both of South Bend, as well as her dear friend Lona Tobey of South Bend.

Betty was a longtime faithful member of Southlawn United Methodist Church.  Betty cherished the mornings she spent at Trinity Church to socialize and celebrate with her “track” friends and if she was having a good day, they might even get her to walk a lap or two.  She enjoyed doing her word search puzzle books, reading, and challenging herself with board puzzles.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Thursday, December 2, at the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 So. Michigan St., South Bend. A Memorial service celebrating Betty’s life will begin at 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home.  She will be laid to rest on Friday, Dec. 3rd at Southlawn Cemetery with her beloved Paul.

Contributions in memory of Betty may be offered to Southlawn United Methodist Church, 60756 U.S. 31 South, South Bend, IN 46614.  Online condolences to the family may be sent to www.palmerfuneralhomes

11/20/2021 EJS