Obituary: Robert Leo ‘Bob’ Bowling, 94, Loretto
ROBERT LEO “BOB” BOWLING
Robert Leo “Bob” Bowling, 94, of Loretto, died Saturday, July 2, 2016. He was born Dec. 2, 1921, in New Hope to the late Webb and Alice Dant Bowling and was the oldest of 10 children. He was a graduate of St. Joe Prep and a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. He served in the U.S. Navy as a Quartermaster 1st Class on the USS Bowditch, a hydrographic survey ship. In the early 1950’s he opened “Bob’s Service Station” in Loretto and operated it until the death of his father-in-law, Herbert Lyon. At that time he joined his brothers-in-law, Henry and Basil Lyon, in J.H. Lyon General Store. He retired in 1973 to enjoy family, hunting and fishing.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Eunice Lyon Bowling; one sister, Cecilia Kirkpatrick; and one brother, Corky.
Survivors include one daughter, Phyllis Bowling of Bardstown; two sons, Bob Bowling Jr. (Lynnette) of LaGrange and Phil Bowling (Lynne) of Bardstown; four sisters, Frankie Mouser, Lottie Byrd, Joannie O’Bryan and Allie Kirkpatrick; three brothers, Wally Bowling, Jerry Bowling (Mary Ann) and Jim Pat Bowling (Jean); one sister-in-law, Martha Bowling; and one brother-in-law, Ed “Sonny” Kirkpatrick; six grandchildren, Joe Bowling, Rob Bowling, Kate Johnson, Sarah Bowling, Matt Bowling and Heather Perkins (Travis); five great-grandchildren, Sam Johnson, Will Johnson, Philip Bowling, Brooke Bowling and Caroline Bowling.
The Mass of Christian Burial is 11 a.m. Thursday, July 7, 2016, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 6785 Highway 52, St. Francis with the Rev. Bryan Lamberson and the Rev. Joseph A. Lyon concelebrating. Burial is in the church cemetery with military rites by the Marion County Veterans Honor Guard.
Visitation is 2-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 6, 2016, at Mattingly Funeral Home, 195 Holy Cross Road, Loretto, with a 7 p.m. prayer service with Deacon Joseph R. Dant.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can go to the St. Francis of Assisi bereavement dinner fund, Mass of the Air, or the St. Francis Cemetery Fund.
His grandchildren will serve as pallbearers and his great-grandchildren will serve as honorary pallbearers.
The Mattingly Funeral Home in Loretto is in charge of the arrangements.
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