June Rose Bowe Welkener
June 08, 1932-October 14, 2019
Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother, Grandmother,Great-Grandmother, Great-Great-Grandmother, Aunt and friend.
Her life began 06-08-32, when a healthy baby girl was born to Charles Paul Welkener and Carolyn Welkener nee Popp of St. Louis, Missouri.
Her father retired as Post Master General of Soulard Market District, St. Louis, MO. Her mother was a naturalized citizen who came to the United States from Austria-Hungary in 1906.
Her older brother, Kenneth, played violin, piano,saxophone, and clarinet in Big Bands during the Big Band Era. He served in WWII. Kenneth preceded her in death.
June graduated from Cleveland High School in 1953 where she was first seat violinist for her school orchestra, played the piano and was the Drum Majorette for the marching band. In addition to these roles she loved to dance, paint, and draw.
In May 1953 she met her future husband Russell G. Bowe Sr. at a church group meeting, Youth of Unity. They fell instantly in love when Russ stole her shoe and June threatened to kick him in the behind if he didn't give it back.
They married August 29, 1953 at Unity Church. Their union lasted for fifty-seven years until Russ passed away 09-10-10.
June was an active member of the Frisco Rail Road and Springfield Symphony Women's Auxiliaries.
She became a mother to five children; one son and four daughters, nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild who survive her.
Son, Russell G. Bowe Jr. and his children: Nicholas Bowe and Annalise Bowe Rose.
Daughters: include Robyn Bowe Gossard.
Nancy J. Bowe Hendershott and her children: Samuel Hendershott and Andrew Hendershott with his wife, Michelle and their daughter, Carmen.
Pamela Bowe Wilkins with her husband, Tracy, and their children: Elizabeth Wilkins Pruett with husband, Jeremy and their children: Joshua and Levi, and Benjamin Wilkins with wife, Nicole and their child, James.
Michelle Bowe and her children: daughter, Kristie Morton Lee with husband, Jason and their children: Austin and his child, Corianna, McKennon and Ian. Son, Keith Morton. Daughter, Lisa Morton and her children: Kayleigh Lassley and Camden Lassley.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to a childrens organization aiding in cleft palate repair:
Smile Train
P.O. Box 96231
Washington DC 20090-6231
1-800-932-9541
