James D. Bowers

July 3, 1918 — Jan. 4, 2005

James Dale Bowers, 86, passed away peacefully in his sleep at Regency Place in South Bend, IN, on Tuesday morning, Jan. 4, 2005. Prior to a brief stay at Regency Place, Jim had resided at Arborwood Living Center, Granger. He was born on July 3, 1918, in Battle Creek, MI, to Ernest G. and Thelma (Kunz) Bowers. His brother, Donald Bowers, and sister, Roberta Hansen, preceded him in death. They were all raised in South Bend and attended Central High School.

In September 1939 he married Gladys Eleanor Hughes, who also preceded him in death. Survivors include their two daughters, Beverly (Mrs. Jerry) Nantkes of South Bend and Joyce (Mrs. Jean-Paul) Nielsen of Carlsbad, California. Jim has three loving grandchildren, Lori Nantkes of Valley Park, Mo., Jeff (Sabra) Nantkes of Kings Mt., N.C., and Francesca Nielsen of Carlsbad, CA, who shared her grandpa's birthday. 

Jim also cherished his great-granddaughter, Faith Elizabeth Nantkes. He was also married to Bernice Reamer and Ruth MacCarroll, who both preceded him in death.

Jim will be remembered by his friends as the band leader of "The Royal Knights:' He also had a big band called "Jimmy Dale and His Orchestra" and they played in the Palais Royale in South Bend and the Palmer House in Chicago among other venues. He attended Indiana University before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in the Pacific area during World War II. He was wounded in action at Iwo Jima on March 12, 1945, and received a Presidential Unit Citation and the Purple Heart. He carried four precious items next to his heart which altered the course of an enemy bullet during that battle, saving his life. They were a Bible, a picture of his wife and daughter, a volume of "The Best American Jokes," and a comb. His faith, family, his country and dignity were important to him, and everyone who knew this gentle man understood his value system and loved him for his quiet humor.

Services for Jim will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, January 7, in the Welsheimer Funeral Home, 17033 Cleveland Road North. Rev. Daniel Berger of the First United Methodist Church will officiate. Burial will be at Highland Cemetery, South Bend. The family will receive friends in the funeral home at noon prior to the services, and memorials may be made to the donors' chosen charity. 

Sources: Ancestry.com, Newspapers.com, and FindAGrave.com

12/25/2023 EJS

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/117078234/james-dale-bowers