Barbara Ellen Bowden

Barbara was born August 21, 1932, in Indianapolis to Edwin Forrest and Florence Ellen (Siford) Pattison. She was a 1950 graduate of Shortridge High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. Barbara then attended Hanover College for 2 years, where she was a member of the Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority. She married her college sweetheart, Bruce Bowden, on August 16, 1953. They moved to Connersville, Indiana in 1970 where she was a member of the Alpha Xi chapter of Tri Kappa and Associates, as well as a member of the Rotary Club. She loved to read mystery novels, going to movies, and traveling. Barbara enjoyed flowers, birds, making a loving home for her family, and many years of their garden railroad, B.B.&B. Railroad, with Bruce.

She is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Ellen (Gary) Brewer of Connersville and son, Bradley Forrest (Jim Calabrese) Bowden of Chicago; grandchildren, Sandra Ellen Brewer of Rushville, Salee Renee (Bradley Rogers) Brewer of Connersville, Thomas Lee Brewer of Connersville, and Evan Calabrese of Chicago; 9 great-grandchildren, Stephanie (Daniel) Lamb of Tampa, Florida, Brayton, Morgan, and Chloe Beard all of Rushville, MaKynna and L.T. Ferguson and Roman Sexton all of Connersville, Parker and Essmae Brewer of Cambridge City; 5 great-great-grandchildren, Ezekiel, Joan, Samuel, Maisie, and Anna; a special cousin Norma Sanders, and many family and friends.

Barbara is preceded in death by her husband and her parents.

Visitation for Barbara Ellen Bowden will be 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at Showalter Blackwell Long Funeral Home, Myers Chapel, 920 Central Ave., Connersville. Followed by the funeral service at 2:00 p.m., with Pastor Richard Ware officiating. Burial will be in Dale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.