Betty Ann Bowersox's Obituary
BETTY ANN ROEMER BOWERSOX of Leesburg, FL, formerly of New Bethlehem PA, and mother of a local man passed away in her sleep on Friday, February 26, 2016 at the age of 98. Born on May 4th, 1917 in Struthers OH, she was the sixth child of James Paul Louis Roemer and Alice Eleanor Gough Roemer. Mrs. Bowersox was a graduate of Struthers OH High School and Youngstown Beauty School. Betty married Harold S. Bowersox on March 18th, 1939 and the couple celebrated 59 years of marriage prior to his death on November 27th, 1998. Betty and Harold owned and successfully operated the Bowersox Tire Shop, Inc. in New Bethlehem for nearly 50 years, a job Betty took over singlehandedly during the years her husband served overseas during WWII. Betty was a longtime active member of the Presbyterian Church in New Bethlehem and particularly enjoyed her service as advisor to the church’s youth fellowship organization. She became deeply involved in the New Bethlehem Fireman’s Auxiliary, serving as their treasurer during the first ten years of the organization’s existence. She was also in charge of banquets and other major fundraisers for the fire company. She was very active in the Redbank Football Boosters during the years her two sons played on the team as well as a supporter of their Boy Scout troop. Throughout her life Betty was an avid card player and belonged to many card clubs. She could still play winning pinochle, 500 and poker into her late-nineties. In 1978 Mr. and Mrs. Bowersox retired and moved to Florida which became their permanent home and where they transferred their membership to Graceway Presbyterian Church in Tavares. They enjoyed 20 years of retirement together with friends old and new, playing cards, dining out and traveling. They looked forward to returning to PA each summer to spend time with friends and family. Surviving are two sons, H. Richard Bowersox and wife Jane of Fredericksburg TX and Robert E. Bowersox and wife Paula of Clarion PA; as well as three grandchildren, Kathleen of FL and Richard and Matthew and their wives of Texas, six great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Also surviving are a sister, Pollyanna A. Ketchem of Youngstown OH and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband she was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Mary Eleanor Roemer and Isabel Nancy Roemer Sperry, and three brothers, Dahl Henry, James Louis and John Jacob Roemer. A memorial service for the family will be held in Pennsylvania during the summer. The family suggests memorials be made in Betty’s name to the First Presbyterian Church, Penn Street, New Bethlehem PA 16242. Arrangements have been entrusted to Steverson, Hamlin & Hilbish Funerals and Cremations, 226 E. Burleigh Blvd., Tavares, FL 32778, (352)343-4444. Online condolences may be left on the Tribute Wall.
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