Jane M. Bowerman
(April 15, 1925 - April 6, 2007)
 

Jane M. Bowerman, age 81, of 311 E. Chocolay Street, Munising, died at Camp on Twin Lakes on Good Friday, April 6, 2007 at 12:17 a.m. following a brief illness. She was born on April 15, 1925 in Munising to Peter and Ella (Seaberg) Mellin. Jane graduated from Wm. G. Mather High School in 1943 and then briefly worked in Milwaukee. Jane married Milton “Footsie” Bowerman on January 19, 1946. Together, they owned and operated Foot’s Snack and Pack and the Blue Spruce Restaurant for many years. They raised five daughters together and family was always a priority to both of them. Jane worked at the Munising Paper Company and she was proud of her data processing job in the office. She also worked as the Veterans Affairs liaison for Alger County for many years. Jane and Foots were married over fifty-two years when he preceded her in death on October 22, 1998. Jane was a member of Sacred Heart Church and the National Catholic Society of Foresters. She enjoyed the family camp on Twin Lakes, fishing, traveling, and cooking with Footsie. . During the 4th of July celebration, Jane and Foots fed all of the Bowerman and Mellin clans. She eagerly waited the Mining Journal every day so she could work the crossword puzzle – always in pen and never in pencil. Jane enjoyed Law and Order and all of the “Who Done It” shows. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren meant the world to her.

She is survived by her five daughters – Judith Belanger of East Lansing, Jeanne Ann & Jay Oas of Twin Lakes, Christine Bowerman of Munising, Karen & Jim Cochran of Indianapolis, and Kathy & Don Rushford of Munising; grandchildren – Billy Roy and , Kevin (Mitch) Belanger, Jayne (Mike) Flag, Tricia (Bobby) Downs, Robbie (Melissa) Oas, Marenzie and Michael Bowerman, Austin, Evan, Avery, and Connor Cochran, and Brett, Carly, and Tyler Rushford; great-grandchildren – Ashley, Zachary, Ryan, Alexandria, Tristan, Hannah, Bailey, Taylor, Kelsey, Hylie, and Gage; great-great granddaughter – Genevieve; brothers and sister-in-law – Jack Geniesse of Beaver Dam, WI and Louise (Neil) Griffith of Munising; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Jane was preceded in death by her parents, husband Footsie, brothers Harold, Oliver, Doris, and Henning Mellin, and sister Elsie Sundein.

Visitation will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home on Tuesday evening from 5:00 until 8:00. A Parish Vigil service will be held at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 11, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Munising. Interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising and Jane will be escorted by her grandchildren.

Submitted by Char Livermore