Edwin Leland Bowman

June 23,1941 –February 7,2011 Edwin Leland Bowman, 69, of Derby, passed away at his home on in Derby on February 7, 2011 surrounded by his loving family. He was born June 23, 1941 in Newport Center a son of Baxter and Evelyn (Wilcox) Bowman.
On April 19, 1962 he married Alice Mae Labounty who survives him.
Leland graduated from Derby Academy in 1960 and later St. Johnsbury Trade School in the automotive field.
Leland was a farmer for 26 years and he was never afraid of a good days work. He also worked for Bond Auto as a deliveryman and more recently drove bus for RCT. He enjoyed gardening and taking care of his lawn. He was also a school bus driver for many years for Derby students that brought him much joy. He cherished spending time with his children and grandchildren as well as vacations to Florida. He loved the Lord and his life was a true testament to his devotion to God and his family.
He is survived by his wife Alice Bowman of Derby, and by his four children: Joann Lawson and her husband Mark of Coventry, Karen Thomas and her husband John of Wauchula, Fla, Steven Bowman and his wife Kerry of West Charleston and Scott Bowman and his friend Anita Tester of Derby, and by his 11 grandchildren: Danielle Ingalls and her husband Kyle, Shawn and Kevin Lawson, Sarah, Hannah, and Hayley Thomas, Ryan and Mariah Bowman, Ashley, Kylie and Christopher Bowman, Dylan and Sierra Tester. He is also survived by eight brothers and sisters: Marshall Bowman and his wife Esther of Coventry, Dennis Bowman and his wife Velma of Meredith, NH, Durward Bowman of Hinsdale, NH, Bernice Blair and her husband George of Bellevue, Wa, Joyce Rines and her husband David of Shirley, Ma, Linda Yandle and her husband Tony of Eammaus, Pa, Louise Laravie and her husband Ross of Coventry, and Joan Swenson and her husband Clifford of Barton. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Marion Bowman of Orleans, and by several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two grandchildren Jason Lawson and Nathan Bowman and by two brothers: Winston Bowman and his wife Velma and by his brother Gerald Bowman.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 P.M. on Friday February 11, 2011 at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home, 4670 Darling Hill Road, Newport with the Rev. Glenn Saaman officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday February 11,2011 from 2:00 P.M. until the hour of the funeral. On-line condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home, locally family