Mary Jane Bowen, 86, of Banyan Street, Selinsgrove, passed away at 4:20 a.m. Thursday, July 5, 2012, in Nottingham Village, Northumberland.
She was born May 19, 1926, in Williamsport, a daughter of the late Charles and Fay (Muendrick) Billman. She was married and later separated from George Merrell, Sr., who preceded her in death on Nov. 10, 2010. On Sep. 1, 1973, she married Raymond C. Bowen, who preceded her in death on April 12, 2002.
Mary Jane was a graduate of Williamsport High School and later attended Penn State University.
She had been employed for many years at Logue Construction Company as an office manager.
Mrs. Bowen was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Selinsgrove.
She was a very active member at the Susquehanna Country Club, where she was an avid golfer.
Mary Jane loved to play Bridge and belonged to several Bridge groups. Her greatest joy came from spending time with her family, both the Merrell and Bowen sides. She loved to stay in touch with her family via her computer with photos and by creating digital greeting cards.
She is survived by three sons and two daughters-in-law, Dr. Raymond and Eileen Merrell, of Yakima, Wash., George Merrell, Jr., of Naples, Fla., and Charles and Val Merrell, of Williamsport; seven grandchildren and spouses, Jonathan and Lindsey Merrell, of Yakima, Wash., Gregory Merrell, of Shanghai, China, Justin Merrell, of Yakima, Wash., Ashlee and Steven Dominguez and their daughters Vanessa and Lily, of Crofton, Md., Erin and Ken Kosteva and their son Maxwell, George Merrell III and Kathleen Merrell, all of Reston, Va., step-son, Art Bowen and wife Karen, of Selinsgrove, and their children, Nicole Hoffman and husband Matthew, of Lewisburg, Christopher Bowen and wife Sherri, of Fair Haven, N.J., Meredith Bowen and companion Erik Larson, of Crofton, Md., step-son, Willard J. "Bill" Bowen and Wife Martha, of Selinsgrove, and their children, Matthew Bowen and wife Melanie, of Phoenixville, Ryan Bowen and wife Malina, of King of Prussia, Kristin Powell and husband Ryan, of Portland, Ore., step-son Dennis Bowen and wife Barbara, of Shelburne, Vt., and their children, Ingrid Amols and husband John, of Charlotte, N.C., Susan Bowen, of Manchester, N.H., step-son Dr. Charles Bowen and wife Gerlinde, of Shelburne, Vt., and their children, Dr. Scott Bowen and wife Kendra, of Burlington, Vt., Sten Bowen and wife Amy, of Reading, Vt., and Mark Bowen, of Burlington, Vt., step-daughter Gail Rupprecht and husband Michael, of Bel Air, Md., and their children, Ann Rayboen, of Bel Air, Md., Kurt Rupprecht and wife Diane, of Glen Rock; and 18 step-great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Bowen was preceded in death by one brother, Chuck Billman.
Friends and family may call from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, July 14, 2012, at St. Paul's United Church of Christ, 400 N. Market St., Selinsgrove, where the funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. with Rev. Raymond L. Brown officiating.
Burial will follow in Orchard Hills Cemetery, Shamokin Dam.
Contributions in Mary Jane's memory can be made to her church, St. Paul's United Church of Christ, 400 N. Market St., Selinsgrove, PA 17870.
Arrangements are by The V.L. Seebold Funeral Home, 601 N. High St., Selinsgrove, PA 17870.
