A 67-year-old, mild mannered local man used two rifle bullets to solve the problem of his, wife's mental illness and his despondency over her condition, County Coroner A. H. Heisey and city police reported Friday night. Murder-suicide was the coroner's verdict after investigating the gunshot deaths of Joseph R. Bowman and his wife, Hannah, 62, of 635 Maple St. The couple was found dead in second floor rooms of their home at 2:30 p. m. Friday. Dr. Heisey said they had apparently been dead, for 36 hours. Detective Clifford A. Roland laid Bowman apparently fired a shot from a .22 caliber rifle into the back of his wife's head as she was in a kneeling position in the front bedroom of their home. She was in the act of dusting at the time, Roland said. She had a dust cloth clutched in her band. Bowman's body, with a bullet wound in his forehead, was found lying face down in an adjoining room leading to the attic of the modest two-and-one-half story home. Visitors to the home said it was immaculately clean. Dr. Heisey said the large amount of bleeding evident indicated that both Bowman and his wife bled to death. Neither bullet penetrated the heads of the victims, according to preliminary examinations. Dr. Heisey said the killing of Mrs. Bowman was undoubtedly viewed as an act of mercy by her husband. Mrs. Bowman's personal physician said he had been treating her for mental ailment. He also said he had the necessary papers to have Mrs. Bowman committed to a mental institution for treatment. “Bowman apparently could not face the fact his wife was going to be placed in an institution," Detective Roland said. He described Bowman as a mild-mannered man of good character. The deaths of the couple were discovered by John Eisenhauer, 111 Kline St., head janitor at the Harrison School, Seventh and Maple Streets, where Bowman was employed as a part-time janitor. Bowman reportedly failed to show up for work Thursday morning and telephone calls to his home Friday went unanswered. Eisenhauer said he contacted Donald Lasch, son-in-law of the Bowman’s, Frida y afternoon. Lasch told Eisenhauer to go to the Bowman home and enter if he found a door open. When Eisenhauer entered through an unlocked door he called and received no answer. He then went upstairs and saw the bodies. Eisenhauer hurried back to school and informed George Houseal, the principal, who in turn notified city police. Patrolman Terry Gingrich and Carl Potocny were dispatched to the scene, and they were followed by Roland and Police Chief Paul V. Peiffer. Also on the scene, along with Dr. Heisey, were County Detective John F. Lenker and Assistant District Attorney George Christiansen. Identification of the couple was made by a son, Raymond. Lasch's wife, Marguerite, said she last saw her parents about 7:30 or 8 p.m. Wednesday. Lasch termed the couple very despondent. The son, Raymond, said they were in good health, according to the police reports. Neighbors who live on either side of the Bowman home were unable to shed any light on the tragedy, according to police reports. Mrs. Ellen Cortright, 637 Maple St., said she last saw Bowman about 5 p.m. Tuesday. Members of the Richard Weaver family at 633 Maple St. said they last saw Bowman about 1 p.m. Wednesday. Bowman, a former painter and paper hanger, and his wife were described as good neighbors. They reportedly got along well with Bowman doing most of the shopping. His wife reportedly did not leave her home very often. Bowman, who was semi-retired, formerly worked for the Lebanon Paper Box Company. The couple is survived by two sons and two daughters: John J. Bowman, of Santa Ana, Calif.; Raymond E. Bowman, Lebanon RD 2; Marguerite E., wife of Donald Lasch, Cleona; and Josephine I., wife of Harry Heck Boyertown; as well as nine grandchildren. He also leaves one sister, Mrs. Levi Barnhard, Lebanon. She also leaves three brothers: John Miller, Temple; Clarence Miller, Lebanon; and Lloyd Miller, Harrisburg. He was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. John B. Bowman and she was a daughter of the late John A. and Margaret Shay Miller. They were both members of Christ Presbyterian Church, Lebanon, and he also belonged to the Independent Fire Company. [Lebanon Daily News, November 10, 1962, Page 1 & 2]