Ellen Irene Bowker, 92, Lamar, MO, formerly of Sheldon, MO died Monday, December 27, 2010, at Barton County Memorial Hospital in Lamar, MO following a sudden illness. She was born October 28, 1918 in rural Sheldon, MO to Marion Sterling Price George and Minnie Idell Duggins George. She married Robert Chester Banes on July 13, 1938 in Nevada, MO. He preceded her in death August 12, 1961. She later married William Bowker, and he died February 3, 1989.

Mrs. Bowker lived a full life gardening, raising cows, sheep, and chickens. She also made patch work quilts, and loved collecting coupons. She worked on the family farm with her husband Chet until he passed away. She then worked in the cafeteria at the Lamar Hospital, and the Sheldon School. She attended the Sheldon United Methodist Church in Sheldon, MO and was a member of the Jolly Senior Citizens of Sheldon.

Survivors include a daughter, Roberta Ann Bigelow and her husband Donald, Sheldon, MO; 12 grandchildren, Robert Lynn Bailey and his wife Julie, Nevada, MO, Tracy Denise Garren, Independence, MO, Abby Bridgett Cagle and her husband David, Kirksville, MO, Michael Allen Sims, Carthage, MO, Margee Lee Huff and her husband Christopher, Hermitage, TN, Debbie Rae Broadwater and her husband Benjamin, Branson, MO, Robert Douglas Conner and his wife Cindy, Liberty, MO, Dustin Lee Conner and his wife Lori, Bronaugh, MO, Angela Dawn Blixt and her husband David, Harrisonville, MO, Rebecca Jean Lear and her husband, Christopher Jones, Lamar, MO, Christel Jean Goodell, Ft. Scott, KS, and Ginger Dawn Beerbower and her husband Nathan, Ft. Scott, KS; 33 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Martha Louise Gordon, and Dortha Ruth Holland, both of Lamar, MO; numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands; four brothers, Raymond Sterling George, Leslie Edward George, Samuel Lawrence George, and infant Wayne Eugene George; two sisters, Velma Mae Garwood, and Sarah Margaret Lightner; two daughters, Kathryn Irene Bailey, and Doris Evelyn Sims; two infant grandchildren, Carla Christine and Barbara Bea Bailey.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, December 30, 2010 at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, MO with Rev. Lynn Quist officiating. Interment will follow at Sheldon Cemetery, Sheldon, MO.

Friends may call now and until the hour of service at Ferry Funeral Home 301 S. Washington, Nevada, MO.

Contributions may be made in her honor to the Sheldon United Methodist Church in care of the funeral home.