Laverne Bower

McCullough Lane

Wilma Laverne Bower, 85, of McCullough Lane, Columbus, died at 9:50 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, 2015, at Keepsake Village of Columbus.

Laverne was born in Bartholomew County on May 23, 1930, the daughter of William and Clara Runge Siekman. She married Robert E. Bower July 30, 1961, at St. Paul Lutheran Church at Clifty. She was a 1948 graduate of Columbus High School and retired after many years of service with Irwin Union Bank. She was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.

Laverne is survived by her cousins, Robert (Marilyn) Runge of Columbus, Sandra (Dr. Jon) Lindemann of Little Rock, Arkansas, Mary Mellencamp of Cortland, Dwight (Janet) Smith of Columbus and Brent Smith of Columbus; a sister-in-law, Darlene Bower of Columbus; godsons, Jim (Sharon) Morgan of Chicago and Andy (Jillian) Morgan of Grove City, Pennsylvania; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Florence L. Siekman and Elsie Siekman; and her husband, Robert E. Bower, who died July 29, 2008.

Funeral service will held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015, at Myers-Reed Chapel on 25th Street, with Pastor Mark R. Teike officiating. Burial will follow at Garland Brook Cemetery. Calling will be one hour prior to the service Wednesday.

Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church or Bartholomew Country Humane Society.

Online condolences may be sent to www.myers-reed.com.