John Edward Bowerman

John E. “Jack” Bowerman, 89, of Susquehanna Township, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, September 23, 2024 with his loving family at his side.

Born November 24, 1934, in Tower City, he was the son of the late William and Catherine (Reiner) Bowerman. Following his 1952 graduation from Williamstown High School, Jack joined the Army and served in Germany for two years.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his daughter: JoAnn Gilkey; and his siblings:  Clair Bowerman, Catherine Sener, William Bowerman, Carl Bowerman, and Mark Bowerman.

On March 1, 1958, he married the former Joan Snyder, starting their lifelong journey by living in Millersburg for a year before moving to Harrisburg when Jack attended Barber School. He began his barbering career in 1959, first in Colonial Park and ultimately opening his own shop in 1967 until his retirement.

Jack became a member of Faith Immanuel Presbyterian Church following the closure of his longtime church, Progress Immanuel Presbyterian Church.

Spending time and traveling with his family was of the utmost importance to Jack. They started camping in the 1970s, visiting many places around the country; New Orleans, Disney World, Yellowstone, Outer Banks, and many, many other sightseeing destinations and continued camping until the present day with a permanent site at Twin Grove RV Park in Pine Grove. Jack and Joan also greatly enjoyed polka dancing for many years and belonged to the Polka Dancers’ Association.

Jack was a past president of the Harrisburg Chapter of the Haircutters’ Guild, served on the Pennsylvania Barber Board, was a charter member of the Paxton Area Jaycees, and with his wife, attended the Governor’s Ball in 1983 for the inauguration of Dick Thornburgh.

He loved playing softball and watching college football and baseball, especially the Phillies. Mostly, he cherished the moments he spent supporting his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events. An avid bowler, he bowled in the same league for over 48 years. Jack collected model trucks and Hess trucks; and enjoyed fixing clocks and setting up his model trains.

Surviving is his wife (and in his own words, “his best friend”): Joan Bowerman; his children: Judy L. Drees (and her husband, George), Harrisburg and Jan E. Bowerman (and his wife: Karen), Harrisburg; his sister: Joan Adams (and her husband, Paul), Harrisburg; 5 grandchildren: Shawn Drees, Ashlynn Iglesias (and her husband, David), Kyle Bowerman, Corey Bowerman, and Harry Devine; his great grandson: Eric Iglesias-Garcia; his son-in-law: John Gilkey; and many nieces and nephews and other family members and friends.

Services will be held 11:00 am Monday, October 7, 2024 at Faith Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 1801 Colonial Road, Harrisburg. Friends will be received at the church from 10:00 am until 11:00 am.

Burial with military honors will be in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.

Contributions in his memory may be made to his church or to Hospice of Central Pennsylvania at  https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/hospice-of-central-pennsylvania/memorials.

Kimmel Funeral Home, Harrisburg, is handling arrangements.