He was born March 15, 1951 in Waynesburg, a son of the late Wallace J. Bowlen Sr. and Dorothy R. Peteritis Bowlen.
Mr. Bowlen was a graduate from Jefferson-Morgan High School in 1969 and he served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War.
Mr. Bowlen was a retired coal miner retiring from Emerald Coal Mine in Waynesburg.
He was a member of the United Mine Workers of America Local 2258, the Veterans of Foreign Wars 4793, the American Legion Post 330 and a life member of the DAV 123, all of Waynesburg.
Mr. Bowlen loved fishing, camping, and spending time with his family.
On August 31, 2004 he married Lois Higgins, who survives.
Also surviving are nine children, Richard (Tracy) Bowlen of Lancaster, Dawn E. (Ethan) Melzer of Waynesburg, Emily G. (Clyde) Dunfee of Waynesburg, Amy Bowlen of Chapel Hill, NC, Tina (Lance) Atkinson of Nashville, TN, Paul Shaffer of Waynesburg, Robert (Jamie) Humphreys of Waynesburg, Meggan Thompson of Waynesburg, and Sarah Humphreys of Waynesburg; nineteen grandchildren, Jessica, Charles, Allie, Austin, Noelle, Richard, Keira, Jordan, Claudia, Klaire, Frankie, Kaleena, Maria, John James, Bishop, Alora, Jason, Gabriel, and Trista; and a brother, Daniel (Linda) Bowlen of Rices Landing; three sisters, Emma (Joe) Sustersic of Warren, OH: Sandy Schnable of Crucible; and Susan (Ray) Simmons of Crucible.
Deceased are a grandson, Richard CJ Bowlen; a sister, Lori Bowlen; and a brother, William P. Bowlen.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8, Friday in the Behm Funeral Home, Inc., 1477 Jefferson Road, Jefferson, Gregory P. Rohanna, supervisor, where services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, July 7, 2012 with Pastor Cathie Carpenter officiating. Interment will follow in Greene County Memorial Park, Jefferson Road, Waynesburg. Military Rites will be accorded by the American Legion #330, VFW #4793, the D.A.V. #123 and the United States Navy. Condolences may be expressed online at www.behm-funeralhomes.com.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.6