Barbara Joan (Rogers) (Bowen) Hodges
15 Post Condolences
Barbara Joan (Rogers) (Bowen) Hodges, age 95, of Ithaca, Michigan, passed away peacefully at Rosewood AFC on November 3, 2019. Her family and friends will celebrate her life at the Ithaca United Methodist Church on Saturday, November 23, 2019 at 11:00 am with Pastor David McBride officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00 to 11:00 am on the day of the service, and interment will follow the service at the Ithaca Cemetery. Following the service and interment, a luncheon will be served at the Ithaca United Methodist Church.
“Jo” was born on May 14, 1924 to George Edward and Gwendolyn Grace (Sevey) Rogers in Ithaca. She grew up in Lansing. On June 25, 1949, Barbara Joan married Elijah “Lige” Milton Bowen in Lansing, Michigan. In 1952, Lige opened a veterinary practice in Ithaca. Much of Lige’s business was large animal, so Jo became his dispatcher for farm calls. However, Jo considered being a mother of five her most important job. School, church, and the business kept her busy. Jo loved to needlepoint, cross-stitch, and quilt, creating lasting treasures for her children and grandchildren. July 4th neighborhood parties were an annual tradition that Jo enjoyed. Also important were the camping trips with family and friends. Later, after her children were grown, she enjoyed antiquing in Canada with her sister and friends and traveling. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. After Lige passed away in 1980, Barbara Jo married John Hodges on January 26, 1985 in Ithaca. Jo and John continued the tradition of hosting family 4th of July parties. The pool was always open. Jo loved the Christmas season. If she had had her way, the tree would have been up all year. Jo and John enjoyed wintering in Gulf Shores Alabama with many other Ithaca friends.
She is survived by her children Nancy (Dan) O’Boyle of Ashley, Jim (Cecille) Bowen of Sumner, Tom (Ulrica) Bowen of Zeeland, Mike (Kim) Bowen of Logansport, Indiana, and Margaret (Pat) Lott of Suttons Bay. Grandchildren Patrick (Tiffany) O’Boyle of Cologne, MN, Kelly (Seth) Stapleton of Bad Axe, Michael O’Boyle (Lily Cruz) of Prescott Valley, Arizona, Joe (Andrea) Bowen of Ithaca, Chris (Cara) Bowen of Jenison, Paul (Jillian) Bowen of Marshall, Rachel Bowen of Chicago, Illinois, Emma Bowen of Logansport, Indiana, Elijah Bowen of Logansport, Indiana, Ryan (Stephanie) Lott of Lake Leelanau, Jaime Lott of Paw Paw, Jeff Lott of Interlochen. Jo had fourteen great grandchildren and one on the way, Abby and Tucker O’Boyle, Matilda and Evelyn Bowen, Melia and Brady Bowen, Drostan and Conlan Stapleton, Landen and Jayce O’Boyle, Marshall, Sonora, Ivan and Conan Lott. Special nieces Carol (Larry) Johnson of Eaton Rapids and Kathy Ochander of Lake Isabella, step-children Bill (Deborah) Hodges of Harbor Springs, Julie (Dan) Evitts of Ithaca also survive Jo along with many step-grandchildren and step great-grandchildren. Barbara Joan was preceded in death by parents George and Gwendolyn Rogers, sisters Kay Larry and Jean Landis, husband Elijah Bowen, husband John Hodges, step-daughter Jill Hodges, step-granddaughter Kaitlyn Hodges, niece Kay Eckhardt and nephew David Ochander.
The family would like to offer sincere thanks to Rosewood AFC for the wonderful care “Jo-Jo” received while living there. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of Barbara Joan to the Ithaca United Methodist Church or Rosewood Adult Foster Care of Ithaca.
The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.
Reader Comments (15)
We are saddened by your Mother’s passing but are left with wonderful memories of “growing up” in the neighborhood with her. Special times every 4th of July and our trip to Nova Scotia!
— Ronald Reagan
Thank you for sharing your beautiful soul with all of us.
❌⭕️ M & G
My sincere condolences to you on the loss of your mother. There is a great loss when you lose someone so close.
Thinking of you,
Barb Haruska
Like a song...that lives in memory, like a joy that will not die, a loved one lives forever even when a heart must cry.
Becky Manderfield
So sorry to hear of your mom's passing. She was always Mrs. Bowen to me, even after she married John, but she was also one of my neighborhood "moms" — always looking after me and always making sure there were cookies on hand. She was a grand lady, much loved by her family.
Sincerely,
Terry and Karen (Gearhart) Nestle