Bette E. Bower died peacefully at the home of her sister, Beverly Rittenhouse, on Sunday, August 27, 2006, one week shy of her 90th birthday.
Born to Eunice Thornburg Bower and John Higgins Bower in Inglefield, Indiana, Bette was one of five sisters who were for many years called the "Bower Girls" by those who knew them, Dallas, Anne, Bette, Beverly (Billie), and Rosemary.
Bette attended Reitz High School and Lockyear Business College. She served as an executive secretary to the manager of the shipyard in World War II, as an office manager of the B&G Oil Company, and later as a manager of the family farms and business interests.
For more than 50 years, Bette was a devoted member of Trinity United Methodist Church which she served in many capacities including as a member of the administrative board and as a trustee. Bette was instrumental in saving the Old Courthouse from destruction, a building that bore her great-grandfather's name on the cornerstone. For many years she played an important role including serving as president of the Old Courthouse Auxiliary and the Conrad Baker Foundation.
Bette was also an active supporter of Goodwill Industries and the YWCA. In addition, she supported many local and national charitable organizations. Always interested in politics and government, she prided herself on never failing to vote in an election.
Bette was preceded in death by her sisters, Rosemary Montgomery in 1992, Dallas Suhrheinrich in 2003, and Anne Hartley in 2005.
Bette is survived by her sister, Beverly Rittenhouse of Evansville and six nieces and nephews, Nancy Hartley Gaunt and James W. Rittenhouse of Evansville, John Bower Hartley of Bloomington, Indiana, Jan Hartley Ryder of London, England, Katherine Rittenhouse Compton of Dallas, Texas, and Ann Lee Rittenhouse Lemis of Orlando, Florida, as well as eleven great-nieces and nephews.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, September 1, 2006, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 216 SE Third St., officiated by Reverend Allen W. Amstutz and Reverend Ashland Shaw. Burial will be at Centenary Cemetery in Inglefield, Indiana. Friends may visit Thursday, August 31, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Alexander East Chapel and Friday from 9 a.m. to service time at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, Goodwill Industries, 500 S. Green River Road, Evansville, IN 47715, the YWCA, 118 Vine St. Evansville, IN 47708, or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements by Alexander East Chapel, 2115 Lincoln Avenue, Evansville, IN 47714 (812) 476-1351.
Published in Courier Press from Aug. 30 to Aug. 31, 2006.
Born to Eunice Thornburg Bower and John Higgins Bower in Inglefield, Indiana, Bette was one of five sisters who were for many years called the "Bower Girls" by those who knew them, Dallas, Anne, Bette, Beverly (Billie), and Rosemary.
Bette attended Reitz High School and Lockyear Business College. She served as an executive secretary to the manager of the shipyard in World War II, as an office manager of the B&G Oil Company, and later as a manager of the family farms and business interests.
For more than 50 years, Bette was a devoted member of Trinity United Methodist Church which she served in many capacities including as a member of the administrative board and as a trustee. Bette was instrumental in saving the Old Courthouse from destruction, a building that bore her great-grandfather's name on the cornerstone. For many years she played an important role including serving as president of the Old Courthouse Auxiliary and the Conrad Baker Foundation.
Bette was also an active supporter of Goodwill Industries and the YWCA. In addition, she supported many local and national charitable organizations. Always interested in politics and government, she prided herself on never failing to vote in an election.
Bette was preceded in death by her sisters, Rosemary Montgomery in 1992, Dallas Suhrheinrich in 2003, and Anne Hartley in 2005.
Bette is survived by her sister, Beverly Rittenhouse of Evansville and six nieces and nephews, Nancy Hartley Gaunt and James W. Rittenhouse of Evansville, John Bower Hartley of Bloomington, Indiana, Jan Hartley Ryder of London, England, Katherine Rittenhouse Compton of Dallas, Texas, and Ann Lee Rittenhouse Lemis of Orlando, Florida, as well as eleven great-nieces and nephews.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, September 1, 2006, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 216 SE Third St., officiated by Reverend Allen W. Amstutz and Reverend Ashland Shaw. Burial will be at Centenary Cemetery in Inglefield, Indiana. Friends may visit Thursday, August 31, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Alexander East Chapel and Friday from 9 a.m. to service time at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, Goodwill Industries, 500 S. Green River Road, Evansville, IN 47715, the YWCA, 118 Vine St. Evansville, IN 47708, or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements by Alexander East Chapel, 2115 Lincoln Avenue, Evansville, IN 47714 (812) 476-1351.
Published in Courier Press from Aug. 30 to Aug. 31, 2006.
Bette E. Bower died peacefully at the home of her sister, Beverly Rittenhouse, on Sunday, August 27, 2006, one week shy of her 90th birthday.
Born to Eunice Thornburg Bower and John Higgins Bower in Inglefield, Indiana, Bette was one of five sisters who were for many years called the "Bower Girls" by those who knew them, Dallas, Anne, Bette, Beverly (Billie), and Rosemary.
Bette attended Reitz High School and Lockyear Business College. She served as an executive secretary to the manager of the shipyard in World War II, as an office manager of the B&G Oil Company, and later as a manager of the family farms and business interests.
For more than 50 years, Bette was a devoted member of Trinity United Methodist Church which she served in many capacities including as a member of the administrative board and as a trustee. Bette was instrumental in saving the Old Courthouse from destruction, a building that bore her great-grandfather's name on the cornerstone. For many years she played an important role including serving as president of the Old Courthouse Auxiliary and the Conrad Baker Foundation.
Bette was also an active supporter of Goodwill Industries and the YWCA. In addition, she supported many local and national charitable organizations. Always interested in politics and government, she prided herself on never failing to vote in an election.
Bette was preceded in death by her sisters, Rosemary Montgomery in 1992, Dallas Suhrheinrich in 2003, and Anne Hartley in 2005.
Bette is survived by her sister, Beverly Rittenhouse of Evansville and six nieces and nephews, Nancy Hartley Gaunt and James W. Rittenhouse of Evansville, John Bower Hartley of Bloomington, Indiana, Jan Hartley Ryder of London, England, Katherine Rittenhouse Compton of Dallas, Texas, and Ann Lee Rittenhouse Lemis of Orlando, Florida, as well as eleven great-nieces and nephews.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, September 1, 2006, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 216 SE Third St., officiated by Reverend Allen W. Amstutz and Reverend Ashland Shaw. Burial will be at Centenary Cemetery in Inglefield, Indiana. Friends may visit Thursday, August 31, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Alexander East Chapel and Friday from 9 a.m. to service time at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, Goodwill Industries, 500 S. Green River Road, Evansville, IN 47715, the YWCA, 118 Vine St. Evansville, IN 47708, or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements by Alexander East Chapel, 2115 Lincoln Avenue, Evansville, IN 47714 (812) 476-1351.
Published in Courier Press from Aug. 30 to Aug. 31, 2006.
Born to Eunice Thornburg Bower and John Higgins Bower in Inglefield, Indiana, Bette was one of five sisters who were for many years called the "Bower Girls" by those who knew them, Dallas, Anne, Bette, Beverly (Billie), and Rosemary.
Bette attended Reitz High School and Lockyear Business College. She served as an executive secretary to the manager of the shipyard in World War II, as an office manager of the B&G Oil Company, and later as a manager of the family farms and business interests.
For more than 50 years, Bette was a devoted member of Trinity United Methodist Church which she served in many capacities including as a member of the administrative board and as a trustee. Bette was instrumental in saving the Old Courthouse from destruction, a building that bore her great-grandfather's name on the cornerstone. For many years she played an important role including serving as president of the Old Courthouse Auxiliary and the Conrad Baker Foundation.
Bette was also an active supporter of Goodwill Industries and the YWCA. In addition, she supported many local and national charitable organizations. Always interested in politics and government, she prided herself on never failing to vote in an election.
Bette was preceded in death by her sisters, Rosemary Montgomery in 1992, Dallas Suhrheinrich in 2003, and Anne Hartley in 2005.
Bette is survived by her sister, Beverly Rittenhouse of Evansville and six nieces and nephews, Nancy Hartley Gaunt and James W. Rittenhouse of Evansville, John Bower Hartley of Bloomington, Indiana, Jan Hartley Ryder of London, England, Katherine Rittenhouse Compton of Dallas, Texas, and Ann Lee Rittenhouse Lemis of Orlando, Florida, as well as eleven great-nieces and nephews.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, September 1, 2006, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 216 SE Third St., officiated by Reverend Allen W. Amstutz and Reverend Ashland Shaw. Burial will be at Centenary Cemetery in Inglefield, Indiana. Friends may visit Thursday, August 31, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Alexander East Chapel and Friday from 9 a.m. to service time at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, Goodwill Industries, 500 S. Green River Road, Evansville, IN 47715, the YWCA, 118 Vine St. Evansville, IN 47708, or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements by Alexander East Chapel, 2115 Lincoln Avenue, Evansville, IN 47714 (812) 476-1351.
Published in Courier Press from Aug. 30 to Aug. 31, 2006.
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