Howard Lee Bowman

Howard Bowman, 84, of Unionville, Missouri, passed away at the Mosaic Life Medical Center in St. Joseph, Missouri, on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, after a brief stay.

Howard Lee Bowman was born in Unionville, Missouri, on November 11, 1936, the son of Millard and Hazel (Lightfoot) Bowman, who preceded him in death.  He was reared in the Lemons area of Putnam County and attended Vaughn rural school before graduating from Unionville High School in 1954.  He worked briefly at a corn processing plant in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, before returning to join his father on the farm.  Howard married Janice Johnson in Unionville on November 2, 1963, and she survives at home.  They bought the family farm from Howard’s parents in 1964 and lived there until moving to Unionville in 2011.

Howard and Janice owned a cow/calf operation as well as doing row crops.  Howard also took great pride in raising registered Quarter horses.  He had several interests including having his pilot’s license and being a member of an airplane club; supporting sporting events at Putnam County schools; being an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan; and being an active bowler in his younger years.  Howard loved music including bluegrass, old time country, and southern gospel, especially the Gaithers.  He could also be found and heard playing his own guitar.  Howard was a member of the Putnam County R-1 School board for eight years and was very active at the First Christian Church in Unionville, where he was immersed into Christ and where he had been serving as an elder for many years. He also taught Sunday School and served at I-MO camp.  Howard will be remembered for this calm demeanor and good advice given in any situation.  He was a man of outstanding Christian character and integrity, honest in all his dealings, and considerate of everyone.

Other survivors include his two daughters, Jamie (Lynn) Lewis of Unionville, and Tanya (Joel) Mitchell of Amity, Missouri.  His grandchildren are Tyler (Shaleigh) Lewis, Cory Lewis, Jake Mitchell, Liam Mitchell, Callie (Kelby) McCoy, and Mara Mitchell.  Howard’s great grandson is Jason Howard McCoy.  He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Kathy Bowman of Gardner, Kansas, niece Marla Bowman and nephew Mike Bowman.

Howard was also preceded in death by his brother, Raymond Bowman.

Funeral services for Howard Bowman will be at Playle & Collins Family Funeral Home in Unionville at 11:00 am Saturday, June 26, with visitation from 9:00 – 11:00 am prior to the service.  Interment will be at the Unionville Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to, and checks should be made to the Show-Me Christian Youth Home and may be entrusted with Playle & Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27 ^th , Unionville, MO, 63565.