Gloria Lilian Irma Bowen

Gloria Lilian Irma (Hormann) Bowen, 88, of Decatur, Indiana, passed away on February 3, 2023, at Parkview Randallia, Fort Wayne, Indiana.

She was born March 24, 1934 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the daughter of the late Fred Hormann and the late Clara (Niemeyer) Hormann.  Gloria was united in marriage to Robert H. Bowen on July 31, 1955 at Concordia Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and he survives.

Gloria was a 1952 graduate of Hoagland High School, a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Decatur, Indiana where she was a former Sunday School Teacher and a Girl Scout Leader at Zion Lutheran School for several years.  She was a Homemaker.  Following the growth of her children, she became the deli manager at Gerber’s Super Valu #2 in Decatur for 29 years, where she got her nickname “Cookie”.  After she retired from Gerber’s she was employed at Manley Meats in Monroe, Indiana for seven years.

Gloria enjoyed baking, sports (IU Fan), being outside, playing cards and games, helping on the farm, and spending time with her beloved family.  One of her strongest traits was learning the value of hard work.  Being on the farm and helping Bob provide examples that her family remembers to this day.  Among her favorite card games were Euchre, Crazy 8’s and War while Aggravation and Monopoly were her favorite board games. As much as she valued spending time with her family, she valued above all being a faithful and devoted wife to her husband.

Survivors include her husband of 67 years, Robert H. Bowen of Decatur, Indiana; son, James A. (Karen Hilyard) Bowen of Decatur, Indiana; daughter, Diane K. (Tim) Zeser of Decatur, Indiana; two grandchildren, Jennifer (Chad) Arnold and Jonathon (Melissa) Zeser both of Beavercreek, Ohio; eight great grandchildren, Jillian Arnold, Harper Zeser, Oliver Arnold, Maddox Zeser, Valerie Arnold, Stockton Zeser, Xavier Arnold, and Bowen Zeser.

She was preceded in death by two sisters, Vera (Reinhart) Franke and Mildred (Ned) Byer.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at Zion Lutheran Church, Decatur, Indiana with Pastor James Voorman and Pastor Zach Oedewaldt officiating.  Interment will follow in the Decatur Cemetery, Decatur, Indiana.

Friends and family will be received from 3-5 and 6-8 p.m. Monday, February 13, 2023, at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur, Indiana and one hour prior to the service Tuesday at the church.

On Monday during the visitation time, the family asks that you wear IU gear or other sports gear.

Preferred memorials can be made to Zion Lutheran Church.