June Bowler Whittier

ALTON and OLD TOWN – June (Bowler) Whittier, 94, passed away peacefully, June 18, 2019, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Millinocket, February 25, 1925, the daughter of William Bowler and Beatrice (Bowler) Gagnon.

June grew up in Millinocket, where she attended grade school. Her senior year of high school, June transferred to Old Town High School, where she graduated. June went on to work at Old town Shoe and worked many years as the secretary at Old Town High School. She married Raleigh Whittier, who passed away in 2009, and together they celebrated 62 years of marriage and raised two daughters.

In her youth, June was known for her talent in figure skating. In her later years, she enjoyed spending time at her camp in Jonesport, doing daily crossword puzzles and working in her garden. She also treasured the time she spent with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. June was a devoted wife; she was kind and caring; and she devoted much of her time to caring for her grandchildren. She was a loving mother to her daughters.

In addition to her parents, June was predeceased by her husband, Raleigh Whittier; brothers, Terry Bowler and Brian “Buzzy” Bowler; and a special sister in law, Jane Hoppe. She is survived by her daughters, Sally (Whittier) Lonko and husband, John and Jane (Whittier) Stephens and husband, Ronald; grandchildren, Julia Grenier and her husband Joe, Emily Lonko and her partner Dana Leland, Brian Lonko and his wife Emily, Michael Stephens and his wife Ashley, and Patrick Stephens; three great grandchildren; and a special niece, Jane Bradley of Massachusetts.

The family wishes to thank her health care worker Kayla and the entire staff of Northern Light Hospice Care for the wonderful and compassionate care given to June.

Family and friends are invited to call 4-6 PM Friday June 21 at Birmingham Funeral Home, 438 Main St., Old Town. June will be interred with her husband at Maine Veterans Cemetery, Augusta, at a later date.