Carole Rita Bowman

Carole Rita Bowman, 77, of Benton Harbor, passed away peacefully, with her loving husband and family by her side on Friday, June 19, 2020 at The Willows in St Joseph, MI. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday June 26, 2020 at 10am at St Bernard’s Catholic Church, 555 E. Deleware Ave., Benton Harbor, with Fr. James Adams officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Watervliet. Friends may visit with the family Thursday June 25, 2020 from 5-8pm at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St Joseph. Memorial donations in Carole’s name may be made to Lake Michigan Catholic Schools or Caring Circle Hospice. Those wishing to sign Carole’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com Carole was born July 8th, 1942 in Watervliet, Michigan to John and Eva Culver. She grew up in Benton Harbor where she resided her entire life. She attended St John’s Catholic School in Benton Harbor. Carole worked as an office manager for Volkswagen in Benton Harbor. While working at Volkswagen she met her future husband Roland who was a district parts manager for Volkswagen. On July 8th, 1967 she married the love of her life, Roland Harvey Bowman Sr. at St John’s Catholic Church. They enjoyed 52 years together. In addition to working as an office manager for Volkswagen, she also operated her own cleaning service for many years that she was very proud of and had many satisfied customers. She was a lifelong and devout member of St John’s Catholic Church. She was proud of all of her children and grandchildren’s accomplishments. Carole had an infectious laugh and loved to tease and joke with her family and friends. She loved rummage sales, polkas, cooking and crocheting. Most of all, she loved visiting with her family and friends. She never missed a family reunion, graduation, wedding or school event. Her grandchildren have fond memories of homemade shakes, “Abraham Lincoln’s”, yarn spider webbing on the doorknobs in the hallway at her house and curbside pickups from school with a cooler full of cold pop. Carole was an incredibly loving soul that touched the lives of so many family and friends for which she will always be remembered. Carole is survived by her husband of 52 years, Roland Harvey Bowman; her children- Audrey (Michael) Salesberry of St Joseph, Roland (Lisa) Bowman of Bean Blossom, IN, Nancy (Cliff) Miller of St Joseph, Natalie(Jay) Lawless of Clinton Township, MI; eight grandchildren, Jacqueline (Chase) Wagner, Jennifer Schneck, Joseph(Kimberly) Schneck, Justin(Jamie) Schneck, Logan and Jacob Miller, Abigail Bowman and Hunter Lawless; three step-grandchildren Jonathon(Beth) Salesberry, Taylor (Jeramie) Spears, George Lawless; great grandchildren, Joshua Dohm and Christian Wagner; two step-great grandchildren Mathew and Cadence Salesberry; her brother John Culver of St Joseph; three sisters Mary Zielke of Benton Harbor, Judy Uphues of Stuart, FL and Ruth(Jerry) Still of Benton Township; and several nieces and nephews including a niece that she considered an ‘unofficial adopted” daughter Debbie Dibble. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Valerie Cole; and brother-in-law, Larry Zielke.