Norman Bowman's Obituary
Norman H. Bowman, age 65, died at EMH Regional Medical Center on Wednesday, March 2, 2005; following a long illness.
He was born in North Ridgeville on February 18, 1940 and had lived in Avon and North Ridgeville all of his life.
He served in the United States Army (1958-1960); as a heavy equipment operator.
He served on the Auxiliary Police Force of Avon.
He worked as an electrician for the Ford Truck Plant, Avon for 26 years and retired in 2000. He also was a heavy equipment operator at LorainCounty Excavating and Cleveland Aircraft. Mr. Bowman, likewise, owned a small construction outfit for years.
Hee was a member of the UAW Local 2000, the Avon Lake AMVETS, the VFW Post 9871, North Ridgeville, VFW Post 8686, Sheffield Lake and the VFW Post 1079, Elyria.
He was known as "Stormin Norman" at the Lorain County Race Track- Rat Racers. He was one of the first people to obtain an antique boiler operators license from the State of Ohio, a member of the National Thrasher Association, Northeast Ohio Antique Machinery Association and the Lagrange Engine Club.
He worked with staind glass, collected antique tractors, was an avid fisherman, golfer and hunter, and he loved his dogs.He enjoyed pig roasts and hay rides with his children and friends. One big hobby he loved was working with his family and friends on his working saw mill and steam engines.
He spent his last days hanging out with his best friends; his son Darryll and his friend, Bill Kennedy.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Donna K. (nee Patterson) Bowman; daughters, Dawn (Frank,Jr.) Spangler, of Lagrange, Darla (Mark) Harper, of Elyria and Dion Bowman, of North Ridgeville; sons, Dana (Jennifer) Bowman, of Willow Park, TX and Darryll Bowman, of North Ridgeville; fourteen grandchildren; sister, Alene Smith, of Homerville, OH; brothers, Herman Bowman, of New London, OH and Arthur Bowman, of Lagrange.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Warren and Crescenthia (nee Loescher) Bowman and a brother, Donny Bowman.
The family will receive friends on Friday from 3-5 and 7-9 PM at the David Bogner Family Funeral Home, 36625 Center Ridge Road, North Ridgeville. The family will also receive friends on Saturday from 9:00 AM until the time of the service at 10:00 AM at the First Baptist Church of Elyria, 11400 Lagrange Road, Elyria. Pastor Bradley Quick, of the First Baptist Church of Elyria, will officiate.
Burial will be in Butternut Ridge Cemetery, North Ridgeville; where the VFW Post #9871 of North Ridgeville will conduct a Military Honors Service.
What’s your fondest memory of Norman?
What’s a lesson you learned from Norman?
Share a story where Norman's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Norman you’ll never forget.
How did Norman make you smile?