Verla M. Bowling, 61, of McLeansboro, died at 4:45 a.m., April 7, 1997, at Hamilton Memorial Hospital.
Mrs. Bowling was a retired office manger for Petrolane.
She was born on June 4, 1935, in Hamilton County, a daughter of Leslie Monroe and Verna Mae (Pierce) Prince. She was a member of St. Clements Catholic Church in McLeansboro and was also a member of the VFW Auxiliary in Carmi.
She married Joseph M. Bowling on July 20, 1953, at St. Clements Catholic Church in McLeansboro, and he survives.
The funeral was at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 9, 1997, in St. Clements Catholic Church in McLeansboro with Father Alan Rupert officiating. Burial was in St. Clements Catholic Cemetery in McLeansboro. The Harre Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Bowling is survived by her husband; two daughters, V. Renee' and husband James R. Renshaw of Harrisburg and Mary Anne and husband John Dale Hopfinger of Dahlgren; three sons, William J. "B. J." and wife Jeannie Lynn Bowling of Mt. Vernon, Illinois; Vincent E. and wife Cynthia Bowling of Herrin; and Frank M. Bowling of McLeansboro; eight grandchildren; Joshua Joseph Bowling, Laura Beth Bowling, Jamie Henshaw Gaffner, Jimmy E. Henshaw, Christopher Dale Hopfinger, Daniel Joseph Hofinger, and Matthew Vincent Bowling; one great-granddaughter, Hannah Blair Henshaw; four sisters, Helen Juanita and husband Frank Heninger of McLeansboro, Maxine and husband Coy Waggoner of Marshall; Betty "Pat" and husband John Swartz of McLeansboro; Peggy June and husband Wayne Vaupel of McLeansboro; two brothers, Everett Lee and wife Doris Prince of McLeansboro and Bill E. and wife Roxie Prince of McLeansboro.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Lucille Bowling and two brothers, Robert Milton Prince and Charles Leslie Prince.
Memorials may be made to The American Lung Association and are being accepted at Harre Funeral Home.