Obituary, Visitation & Funeral Information

A loving and hospitable homemaker, Helen Bowen, age 96, of Xenia, passed away Saturday December 14th, 2019, at 10:05 pm, and was welcomed into Heaven by her Lord and Savior. She was born June 15, 1923 in Perry County, Kentucky to Lewis Edward and Elma Brandenburg.

Helen was a 1941 graduate of Stivers High School. She married Ballard Coy Bowen on July 25, 1941 and they were married almost 70 years until his death in 2011. They had made a loving life together in Spring Valley Township with their five children for over 56 years before moving to Xenia.

In her early 20's, Helen became a Christian and was baptized at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Dayton and later became a member at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Xenia where she taught Sunday School for nearly 40 years. Helen recently joined Dayton Ave. Baptist Church. She also volunteered in Missions/Missionary work and at the American Cancer Society. Besides her family and her faith, Helen loved writing, drawing, sewing and cooking. In her later years, she enjoyed traveling to places like Israel and Alaska, among others. Helen's children remember her talents with cooking such things as cornbread, layered dessert, cinnamon toast and lemon pie.

Helen is survived by her daughters, Jane (Hershell) Ritchie of Spring Valley, Debra (Keith) Lakes of Cape Coral, Florida, Mary Ann Stewart of Spring Valley Township; sons, Jerry (Rosemary) and Michael, both of Xenia; eleven grandchildren; twenty seven great-grandchildren; fifteen great-great grandchildren; one great-great-great grandchild; numerous nephews, nieces and other relatives, and many many close friends. She was preceded in death by her husband and parents; step-father, Harmon Fraley; sisters, Delana and Celest; brother, Darvon J.; and grandsons, Richard Wright and Travis Franks.

You are invited to experience all of Helen's favorite things at her Life Celebration Services beginning with a visitation on Saturday December 21st from 9:00 am until time of services at 10:30 am at Dayton Ave. Baptist Church, 1121 Dayton Ave., Xenia. Pastor Bruce Traeger officiating. Graveside services will be later at 1:00 pm at Spring Valley Cemetery. You are welcome to send a condolence or flowers, or share a story about Helen at www.ConnerAndKoch.com by clicking on her name.

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