Shelby Dean Bowling

Shelby Dean Bowling, age 75 , a resident of Hamilton passed away on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at Regency Hospital. The son of William B. and Chesnie M. (Rice) Bowling, he was born in Hamilton on January 31, 1937. He received his education in the Hamilton and Fairfield schools as well as night school in San Bernardino, California and was a 1954 graduate of Fairfield Senior High. Mr. Bowling enlisted in the United States Air Force and after 20 years active duty, he served one year in Iceland, three years in Germany, one year in Vietnam, and an additional five years in Germany. He was awarded the Bronze Star for Vietnam service, three Air Force Commendation medals, Good Conduct ribbon, and the American Defense Service Medal. Upon his military retirement at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, he remained in Germany and for eight years earned a living as an entertainer (singer and bandleader). On October 15, 1973 he was united in marriage to Renate A. Fath, a citizen of Germany. He was a member of the Greenhills Baptist Church and knew when he passed away that he was going home to be with his Savior.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Nada, who was everything to him and the greatest blessing of his life; his precious children, Jason Bowling, Dannie Bowling, both of Hamilton; Mark (Julie) Bowling of Texas, Catherine Marie (Mike) Steen of Washington, and Cynthia Ann (Doug) Wood of Georgia; grandchildren Daniella, Jason Jr., Ryan Dean, Robin, Jennifer, Jamie, Tiffany, Timmy, Teleca, Toby, Troy, Chris, Celia, Colton, and Will; many great-grandchildren; two brothers, Edward and Michael Jan Bowling; niece and nephews, Tina, Billy, and Jamie; and his extended family in Germany, Monika, Tanya, Gunther, Martina, Barbara, Renate, and Anke. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Johnny, Bill, and James "Lowell" Bowling; and sister-in-law Linda.

Funeral service will be held at the Brown-Dawson-Flick Funeral Home, 330 Pershing Avenue, on Friday, May 25, 2012at 9:30 AM with Brother Arvil Jones officiating. Burial will follow in Butler County Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Thursday from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.