Anthony Bowers

Anthony Joseph Bowers "Tony" Valparaiso " A.J." was born September 15, 1914, in Lima, Ohio, he was the fifth child of seven children of Italian immigrants William Bowers and Frances Sarvela Bowers. Three siblings survive him: Lawrence of Oxford, OH, Gladys Perrine and Millie Workman both of Lima, OH. He was preceded in death by two brothers Charlie and Joe and sister, Mickey. Baptized at St. John the Evangelist Church on January 9, 1915, he was a faithful Roman Catholic his entire life. Tony attended South High School where he played baseball and football, and graduated in June of 1932. After working shortly for the CCC's (Civil Conservation Corps), he entered Ohio University in Ada. He graduated with a Law degree in 1939 and passed the Ohio Bar Exam that same year. With the start of WWII Tony enlisted as a Private and advanced to a Major, occupying every rank in between. He served in the Judge Advocate General's Corps prosecuting war crimes in Germany. After the war Tony returned to Lima where he became a popular and prominent attorney. He was elected three times serving as County Prosecuting Attorney from 1949-1961. In addition to a lifelong law practice Tony was always very active in the community. He was a Commander of the American Legion and Director of their Statewide Program "Boys State". He also was President of the Lima Optimist Club, President of the Ohio Northern Alumni Association of Allen County and President of the Ohio Prosecutors Association. Anthony married the love of his life, Ruth Eleanor Snider, also from Lima, on May 31, 1941. They were married for 61 years with Elle passing away in 2002. Together they raised five children, Barbara (George) Brunner of Kettering, OH, Toni (Randy) Wheeler and Richard (Tina) Bowers both of Valparaiso, Thomas (LeAnn) Bowers of South Bend, IN and Mary (Dale) Swihart of South Bend, IN. He is survived by all of his children, 18 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Tony loved work, sports and his family. He was known for his outgoing personality, his courage and perseverance and his good -humored optimistic nature. He is fondly remembered by many as "A lion in the courtroom and a lamb on the street". He was a great son, brother, husband, father, lawyer, prosecutor, community leader and friend to everyone he met. Over his 89 years, he earned the sincerest respect and love of all who had the opportunity to know him. He will be deeply missed. Funeral Mass Tuesday, April 6, 2004, 1:00 pm at St. Teresa of Avila, 1511 LaPorte Ave. Valparaiso, IN, Rev. Kevin McCarthy officiating. Burial, St. Paul Cemetery, Valparaiso, IN. Visitation at the church on Tuesday, April 6th, from 11:30 a.m. until time of Mass at 1:00 p.m. Memorials to the Horton VNA Hospice Center appreciated. Dykes Funeral Home, Valparaiso, IN, in charge of the arrangements. INFO: 219-462-3125