Barbara Lou Sowers

81, of Van Wert, died at 3:03 a.m. Thursday, July 24, 2008, at Van Wert County Hospital, Van Wert.

She was born Dec. 7, 1926, in Van Wert, to the late John Zeller Wilkie and Opal (Reason) Wilkie. On July 16, 1949, she married Richard Lewis Sowers. Mr. Sowers died Feb 23, 1978.

Mrs. Sowers is survived by her children, James R. (Cathy) Sowers of Van Wert, Mary L. (John) Looser of Grover Hill, Ohio, Laura S. (Jerry) Koenig of Venedocia; a brother, William Z. "Bill" (Charlotte) Wilkie of Cincinnati; her grandchildren, Jaclyn N. (Bill) Evans, Steven J. Sowers, Amanda L. (Nick) Ricker, Megan E. Looser; great-grandsons, Trenton Ricker, Trey Evans, and Nicolas Evans; a niece, Ann (Edward) Jendrisak of Richfield; and a nephew, Charles W. (Mary Grace) Wilkie of Cincinnati.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Marjorie A. (Daniel) Morris, and a nephew, John L. Morris.

She was employed for 11 years at the former City Coal Company. She was a lifelong member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Van Wert. She graduated from Van Wert High School, Class of 1944, and enjoyed attending monthly luncheons with her classmates until she was no longer physically able to do so. She was a member of Van Wert American Legion Post 178 Women's Auxiliary and the Van Wert YWCA. She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, playing bingo and solitaire, and spending time with family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 26, at Brickner Funeral Home, Van Wert. The Rev. Ralph Schibler will officiate. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery, Van Wert.

Visitation will be at the funeral home today from 2-8 p.m. and from noon until time of service on Saturday.

Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Van Wert Council on Aging Building Fund.