Lena May Bowen, 98, a resident of Chillicothe, Mo., died Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2010 at Life Care Center, Brookfield, Mo.
She was born Feb. 19, 1912 in Chillicothe, Mo., the daughter of Charles Milton and Carrie Estella (Linton) Seiberling. On March 4, 1944 she married Buel “Jerry” Bowen in Chillicothe, Mo. He preceded her in death on Feb. 24, 1959.
She was a 1929 graduate of Chillicothe High School, Chillicothe, Mo. She attended Kirksville State College, Kirksville, Mo.
She worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone from 1936 until 1977. Prior to working for Southwestern Bell, she was a rural school teacher for Smith Campbell School and Swain School.
She is survived by one nephew, David Seiberling, Chillicothe, Mo.; two nieces, Martha McIntyre, Brookfield, Mo., and Carol Hirsh, Austin, Texas; several great-nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one brother, George Seiberling and one sister, Edith Marie Seiberling.
Services will be held at the Liberty United Methodist Church on Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010 at 4 p.m. There is no scheduled family visitation. Friends may call from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010 at Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Mo. Burial will be in Avalon Cemetery, Avalon, Mo.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Liberty United Methodist Church and may be left at the funeral home or mailed to Lindley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 47, Chillicothe, MO 64601. Online condolences may be left at www.lindleyfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Mo.
