Yvonne L. Bowman

Yvonne Louise (Reid) Bowman, passed away peacefully in Dallas, Texas, on May 17, 2026, at the remarkable age of 100 years, 8 months.

Known for her love of family, intelligence, sharp wit, determination, generosity, keen interest in news and current events, plus her passion for ice cream and chocolate, Yvonne will be dearly missed.

Yvonne was the first to tell people that she was born prematurely, weighing 4 lb. 6 oz., and thankfully, at home, in Campbellstown, Ohio, so she wasn’t in an oxygen tent, with loss of sight, like many babies born at hospitals in 1925. Her parents were the late Daniel G. and Mary Huffman Reid of Auburn Avenue. She had an older brother, the late Dan Reid Jr. of La Jolla CA.

Yvonne attended elementary school in Preble County, with her lifelong friend, the late Marian Kramer. She graduated from Eaton High School in 1943. It was there that she met her future husband of 55 years, the late Dr. John Roselius Bowman. Yvonne felt the need to serve her country, so applied for Civil Service work at Wright Patterson Airfield in Dayton, Ohio. She received top security clearance and over her parents’ objections, boarded a train for Seattle with two friends. There they boarded a US Naval ship, crossing the Pacific under blackout conditions, for Honolulu, where she worked for a top officer for 2 years. It was also there that First Lieutenant Medical Corps John Bowman arrived with his Army unit, and proposed in the Banyon Court of the Ala Moana Hotel. After WW II ended, they were married in her parents’ home on March 11, 1946. During their Vanderbilt medical school and medical practice years they moved over 25 times.

Yvonne’s active and independent life, particularly after her dear husband John passed in 2001, was long and well-lived: driving her signature gold van, tirelessly caring for others, and in her own home until she was 96! Yvonne is survived by her daughters and sons in law: Carol and Malcolm Bayless of Dallas, Texas, and Janet and Peter Chilibeck of Niagara on the Lake, Ontario, Canada; grandsons Mark Bayless of McKinney, Texas, and Dr. David Bayless of Rochester, Minnesota; step-grandsons, Ben (and Ashley) Chilibeck, great grandson William, Jeff (and Meghan) Chilibeck, and the late Nick Chilibeck.

Yvonne’s daughters are so very grateful for the years of loving family memories, devotion, care, and support that her nephews, (the late) David and Sue Bowman, of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Jim and (the late) Dee Bowman of Ocala, Florida, and John Bowman of Plantation, Florida gave her while she lived in Plantation, Florida.

Her family also wishes to thank the extraordinary staff at Sunrise on Hillcrest Memory Care in Dallas, Texas, for the nearly two years of expert and loving care they gave Yvonne, who said on her 100th birthday (as they gathered around her to sing): “I have never felt so loved in all my life!” And also the Autumn of Life night care team that has watched over her.

In the last weeks of her life, the Southern Grace Hospice team provided amazing support and care, living up to their name, filled with grace.

Memorial contributions can be made to Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer’s Center (www.vumc.org/vmac/donate).

A private service will be held for immediate family in West Alexandria, Ohio, where Yvonne will be laid to rest with her beloved husband, “Dr. John”.

Arrangements Entrusted to Barnes Funeral Home, Eaton, Ohio. Condolences may be sent to the family via the Web site at www.barnesfuneralhome.com.