Margaret J. "Midge" Bower

Margaret J. “Midge” Bower, 65, of Bowerston, O., died peacefully in her home while surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, December 23, 2009, after a hard fought battle with cancer.

Born May 2, 1944 in San Bernardino, Ca., she was a daughter of the late Douglas Robert and Harriet Jane (Myers) Green.

Midge was the loving wife of David A. Bower, Sr. to whom she was wed on June 26, 1965. A devoted mother, she leaves behind four sons: David A. Bower, Jr. and his wife, Lori, of New Philadelphia, Chris Bower and his wife, Kathy, of Bowerston, Todd Bower and his wife, Kelly, of Powell, O., and Brian Bower and his wife, Nichole, of Akron; and eleven grandchildren: Samantha, Mitchell, Mac, Olivia, Brett, Maggie, Ellie, Brooks, Jacob, Chase and Gigi, who were the light of her life.

She is also survived by five siblings, Dr. Bill Green and his wife, Brenda, of Terre Haute, Ind., Barb Green and her companion, Pam Hutte, of Palm Harbor, Fla., Bob Green and his wife, Jill, of Ogden Dunes, Ind., Dr. Ted Green and his wife, Mary Faith, of St. Louis, Mo., and Tim Green and his wife, Julie, of Fishers, Ind., as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family members.

Midge was a graduate of Lakewood High School in 1962 before obtaining her Bachelors Degree in education from Ohio University. Later, she furthered her education at Franciscan University in Steubenville, earning a Masters Degree in Administration. Midge truly loved being an educator, having taught in elementary schools in New Philadelphia, Charleston, S.C., and the Conotton Valley School System where she spent the majority of her career. She retired from Conotton Valley in 2007 where she had been the principal for Bowerston and Sherrodsville Elementary Schools for a number of years. Midge had great enthusiasm for her chosen profession and for the many students she nurtured over the years.

A resident of the Bowerston area for much of her life, she was a former member of Conotton United Methodist Church and had most recently been a member of New Philadelphia First United Methodist Church. She was an accomplished artist who also enjoyed caring for her flowers and gardens, as well as travel. Her greatest joy came from the time that she spent with her family, especially her grandchildren, enjoying the large family get-togethers she often hosted.

In keeping with Midge’s and her family’s wishes, she has been cremated. A memorial service and celebration of her life, officiated by the Rev. Dr. Steve Bailey, will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 3, in Trinity United Methodist Church at Bowerston. Interment will follow in Bowerston’s Longview Cemetery.

Midge’s family will receive callers at the R.K. Lindsey Funeral Home in Dennison from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday. Those wishing to honor her memory by a charitable contribution are encouraged to do so to the Conotton Valley Rocket Foundation Midge Bower Memorial Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1021, New Philadelphia, OH 44663 or to Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 W. 3rd St., Dover, OH 44622.
R.K. Lindsey Funeral Home, Inc.
(740) 922-1970
www.lindseyfh.com