Donald E. Bowman

Donald E. Bowman left this world Sunday, August 20, 2006 at 1:04 AM. Donald was born on January 13, 1926 in Salina, Kan., the son of Edward R. and Regina (Stack) Bowman. He was a 1944 graduate of Sacred Heart High School in Salina.

Mr. Bowman was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Force, serving in the European theater. After serving as a cryptographer in Greece, he was transferred to Naples, Italy, where he performed work on an air inspectors team, traveling extensively throughout Europe.

After an honorable discharge, he was employed by Western Electric Co. and Kellogg Communication, working on Atlas Missile Bases. In 1963, he was stationed on Wake Island while laying the undersea cable to Japan. In 1966, he volunteered to work in Vietnam as an installation supervisor for G.H.O. (Gustav Hirsch Organization), where he received an honors citation from the U.S. government for his help with the Vietnam War and for the installation of General Westmorland's Tiger Exchange in Saigon. In 1988, he retired from PUCO, after working for many years as a state inspector.

His hobbies included stock car racing, sky diving (former president of the Salina, Kansas sky diving club), and used and antique cars. He was also an avid Browns and Indians fan.

Besides his wife Audrey (Wagner) Bowman, whom he married May 29, 1948, he leaves one son, Donald "Gary" Bowman of Howland; a sister, Jeanne Conrad of Dallas, Tex.; and many nieces and nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Preceding him in death are his parents; a daughter, Collette Schrecengost; a son, Shawn W. Bowman; two sisters; and one brother.

A memorial service will be held 6:.00 PM Wednesday, August 23, 2006 at McFarland & Son Funeral Home. Inurnment will be at a later date at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman, Ohio. Material contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 525 N. Broad St., Canfield, Ohio 44406.

Arrangements are entrusted to McFarland & Son Funeral and Cremation Service, 271 North Park Avenue, Warren, Ohio 44481. Please visit www.mcfarlandfuneral.com to view this obituary and send condolences.