Shirley Bower

Shirley J. Bower, 88, of Bolivar, passed away peacefully on January 21, 2024 at Hennis Care Centre in Bolivar, after a period of declining health.

Born July 17, 1935 in Cadiz, Ohio, Shirley was a daughter of the late James and Lottie (Fenstemaker) Chamberlain.

After high school graduation she began a career as a secretary.  She worked in various offices, but especially enjoyed her time at Dover/Phila Electric, Tuscarawas County Board of Education and Teamsters Local Union.

In her free time, she enjoyed bowling, playing cards and bingo.  But her greatest joy was spending time with family.

In her later years, she and her lifelong companion, friend and husband, Virgil Bower, enjoyed retirement in Florida. They were married on December 20, 1953 in the First Lutheran Church in Tuscarawas, and maintained memberships at Lutheran churches throughout their life together.

Shirley is survived by her children, Pamela (Thomas) Gartrell of Strasburg, David (Lori) Bower of New Philadelphia, and Joy (Eric) Muehlenbein of Canton; grandchildren, Shannon Shontz, Thomas (Trisha) Torch, Matthew Paulin, and Angela Muehlenbein; great-grandchildren, Xavier, Bianca, Chase, Madison, Kheadon, Alyssa, Lucas, and Ellie; brother, Jim (June) Chamberlain; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband on January 12, 2013; great-grandsons, Wesley and Collin Shontz; and sister, Connie Papai.

Visitation will be held in the Geib Funeral Center at Dover on Monday, January 29, 2024 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.  Pastor Scott Honess will lead a funeral service on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at 10:30 AM in the funeral home.  Burial will follow in Sharon Moravian Church Cemetery in Tuscarawas.