Betty June (Thompson) Bowling

Betty June (Thompson) Bowling, 89, of Osceola, Indiana passed away peacefully on September 28, 2021.

Betty was born on June 8, 1932 in Clark County, Illinois to the late Gust and L. Aletha (Weaver) Thompson. She and her late husband, Edmond, lived in Osceola since 1968, coming from Indianapolis.

Betty grew up in Dennison, Illinois as a farm girl. In order to attend high school, she would stay with a city family in Marshall, Illinois during the week and then travel home on the weekends. Betty graduated from Marshall High School in 1950 and was class valedictorian.

While in high school she met a new student named Edmond Bowling. As she tells the story, it was not love at first site. He had to win her love, but once he had that love, it was forever. Betty and Edmond were married on April 25, 1954 at Grace Methodist Church in Marshall. He preceded her in death this year on January 16.

Betty had a variety of jobs during her lifetime. She was a secretary for the Superintendent of Schools in Vigo County for eight years; worked as the librarian at Moran School in Osceola for six years; was a licensed insurance agent for 14 years with Aon Corporation; retired from there and opened her own business, Fantastic Sam’s Hair Salon, in Mishawaka and then retired for good after 16 years. In between those years of working outside the home, she also had the job of raising four children, and keeping them out of trouble.

As a young wife, Betty was president of the Hume Women’s Association and a Sunday schoolteacher at Metcalf Methodist Church. As a way to spend time with her daughters, Betty was a girl scout leader and then went on to become a board member, serving as secretary for one year and treasurer for six years…in all spending more than 30 years in the scouts.

Many of Betty’s fond memories were made with friends while being a member of the National Association of Insurance Women. She was a member for 35 years and during that time she served as president, vice-president, and as a board member of the local and regional organizations.

She loved being a part of the community and was a member of Osceola Community Players and the Mishawaka Civic Theater. Betty was a fantastic seamstress and made hundreds of costumes for community plays and her children’s school pageants. She also helped in the design of sets for numerous productions.

Betty was a quiet spirit who was always there if you needed something done or a friend to talk to. She was loving and caring, but tough as nails when she needed to be. Although she only stood at 5 foot 2 inches, you knew she meant business when she used all your given names.

Betty was much loved and will be missed by her children, Carson (Sandy) Bowling of Mishawaka, Indiana, Teresa Witcher of Galien, Michigan, Cheryl (Bill) Morey of Walkerton, Indiana, and Valerie (Kevin) Ong of Elkhart, Indiana; nine grandchildren, Steven Witcher, Stephanie (Bryan) Riedel, Scott (Rachelle) Witcher, Daniel (Andrea) Hartstein, Carl (Teresa) Hartstein, Victoria (Troy) Brassell, Jon (TeeA) Ong, Jeremy (Risa) Ong, and Geoffrey (Janet Kamiri) Ong; and 10 great-grandchildren (who called her “Super Grandma”), Bridgette Stockwell, Claire Witcher, Maximillian Riedel, Abigail, Caroline and Henry Hartstein, Emmalyne Hartstein, and Rebekah, Lawrence and Bethany Ong.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents Gust and Aletha, her husband Edmond, three brothers: Harlan W., James E., and Raymond E., her sister Joan Allen, and a son-in-law Steve Witcher.

Visitation for Betty will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 6 at Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend. Funeral services will begin at 12:30 p.m. in the funeral home. Entombment will follow in Riverview Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana. To send online condolences, please visit kaniewski.com.

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