Edwin J. Bowman, 85 of Mills River went to be with the Lord on Sunday, May 1, 2016. A native of Elmira, NY, he was a son of the late Hiram and Mildred Cornell Bowman. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters.

Edwin had spent his life as a carpenter before retiring in 1989 from Ducote Construction following 18 years of employment as a finish carpenter. He had also served as the volunteer fire chief for the Chemung County Fire Department for 15 years. He and his wife, Violet moved to Henderson County 40 years ago and attended Etowah United Methodist Church for 26 years. He was a square dancer for 45 years; he and Violet were members of the “Belles and Beaux” and “Jacks and Jills” square dance clubs.

Edwin was a loving husband, father and grandfather, who will be greatly missed by his family.

He leaves behind his wife of 65 years, Violet Sovine Bowman; children, C. Daniel “Danny” Bowman (Tina), Jeanene Fisher (Charles), Donald Bowman and Karen Melvin (James); nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; siblings, Mary Ann Weiss (Robert), Marcia Green (Harry), and Robert Bowman (Harriett); other special family friends, Rena Bowman, Valerie Lewis, and Dawne Thomas; and a number of other family members.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11 AM Tuesday, May 3, 2016 in the Chapel of Forest Lawn Funeral Home with the Reverend Dr. David Cook officiating. Interment will follow at Shepherd Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6-8 PM Monday evening at Forest Lawn Funeral Home.

To offer online condolences, visit www.shulerfuneralhome.com.

Shuler Funeral Home is assisting the family.