Submitted by: Dan Rich

Wilma Jean McGowan

Oct. 23, 1925 - July 10, 2008

South Bend Tribune 7/13/2008
LAKEVILLE - Wilma Jean McGowan, 82, of Lakeville, IN, passed away at 9:30 PM Thursday, July 10, 2008, in Miller's Merry Manor, Plymouth, IN. She retired in 1984 from Easy Heat following 20 years of service. She was born on October 23, 1925, in Monticello, IN, to Homer and Bernice (Hans) Down.

On May 22, 1948, in South Bend, IN, she married David Lee McGowan, who preceded her in death on July 8, 1984. Mrs. McGowan is survived by two daughters, Suzanne (David) Adams of Lakeville and Patti Cox of Plymouth; a son, Jack (Rose) McGowan, M.D., of Ft. Montgomery, TX; six grandchildren, David J. McGowan, James E. McGowan, Patrick McGowan, Mary McGowan, Christina L. Zehner and Christopher R. Cox. Her brother, William Downs, and son-in-law, Jeffrey Cox, preceded her in death. Mrs. McGowan volunteered at the Monticello Hospital. She and her husband loved to dance. She was Past Worthy Matron and member of the Order of Eastern Star Lakeville Chapter, #479, and a member of Avalon Grotto. She was Mother Advisor of Rainbow. Mrs. McGowan served in the PTA for many years.

Eastern Star and funeral services will be held at 1 PM Tuesday, July 15, in Palmer Funeral Home, 314 S. Michigan, Lakeville. Rev. Greg Crump will officiate. Entombment will follow at Riverview Cemetery, South Bend, IN. The family will receive friends from 11 AM Tuesday until the time of services in the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Wilma Jean McGowan may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 6415 Castleway W Drive, Suite 114, Indianapolis, IN 46250.