Last Updated on March 28, 2024 by Fisher Funeral Chapel
Joe B. Bowyer, 93 of Walton, Indiana, passed away Sunday evening, March 24, 2024, at Blair Ridge Health Campus, Peru. He is now reunited with his wife of 58 years, Jane E. (Eichensehr) Bowyer.
Born May 11, 1930, in Cass County, he was the son of the late Ivan Dallas and Ruth Geneva (Wisler) Bowyer. Self-proclaimed as the best creek fisherman of all time, Joe’s adventures growing up near Pipe Creek Falls read like a good novel. In fact, for 14 years, he shared many of his escapades with readers of the Pharos Tribune in his column, “A Look at Life.”
As a teenager, Joe enjoyed skating at Nick’s Skating Rink at Spencer Park. It was there that he first met Janie one night and decided, “that was it” She became his one partner for life. On New Year’s Eve of 1950, Joe and Janie were united in holy matrimony in the Wheatland Avenue United Methodist Church. Joe and his beloved Janie enjoyed a lifetime of happiness before her death on July 8, 2009.
A 1948 graduate of Onward High School, which he once described as a magnificent building with huge pillars at the front doors and a gymnasium full of the stuff that made basketball in Indiana what it is today, Joe enjoyed the annual reunions with classmates he treasured.
Joe began a career in metal stamping in 1950, first as a toolmaker, moving up to tool room foreman and then plant engineer for the former KLK Company in Logansport. In the mid-’60s. Joe started his first business. He went from making a tool room foreman’s wage down to making practically nothing, so he worked part-time at Muehlhausen’s six hours a night. Janie worked part-time while the kids were in school and through their hard work, they succeeded. In 1991, as a tool and die designer, Joe founded Ameri-Tek Manufacturing – a multi-slide and punch press business that grew from two small buildings in Flora to a large facility in the Logan/Cass Industrial Park that was built in 1997 to produce parts for the automotive and appliance industries.
Joe grew up in the Onward Christian Church and was a member of the Oak Grove Christian Church in Monticello. Through his many articles in the newspaper, Joe shared his strong faith in the Lord. Joe never failed to express his gratitude to God for the gift of family, friends, and the beauty of nature.
In 1969, Joe earned his private pilot’s license and flew a Cessna 210 for business and for pleasure. While living in Monticello, the family grew and sold Little Red Hulless Popcorn. Joe and Janie enjoyed bowling together. Joe’s average score was 185. His sense of humor was warm and his storytelling skills of the good ol’ days were epic. Joe enjoyed lively conversation and as a member of the Bullshipper’s Breakfast Club. He loved talking politics and solving the world’s problems with some of Cass County’s finest.
He is survived by two sons, Joseph A. Bowyer and Steven E. Bowyer and his wife Debbie, all of Cass County, Indiana; eight grandchildren, Sean Shank, Michelle Heishman, Joshua Bowyer, Sarah Bowyer Baylies, Jeremy Bowyer, Heather Bowyer, Aaron Bowyer, and Brandy Bowyer Marley; and sixteen great-grandchildren.
In addition to his wife and parents, Joe was preceded in death by his daughter, Jennifer Shank; his sister, Sabra Torres and his brother, Ivan “Garth” Bowyer.
Visitation hours will be held Monday, April 1, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
A funeral service honoring Joe’s life will be held Tuesday, April 2, at 10:30 a.m. in Fisher Funeral Chapel, 1801 Chase Road, Logansport. Pastor Rod Mason will officiate.
Burial and graveside services will follow in the Oak Grove Christian Cemetery, Monticello.
In lieu of flowers, since Joe can’t vote in this election, memorial contributions may be made to the Republican National Committee at www.gop.com
You may share memories and offer condolences on Joe’s Tribute Wall at www.fisherfuneralchapel.com.