Elrena "Marlene" (Hisle) Bowling

Marlene Bowling, our mom, age 80, born in Panola, Kentucky, April 8, 1943 (Madison County) and long-time resident of Oxford, Ohio passed away March 26, 2024 in Knox County, Kentucky.  Daughter of Millard and Elrena Louis Hisle nee Challis/Walton, the oldest of four children. Preceded in death, 27 years ago, by her beloved husband, Cletus Bowling of Clay County, Kentucky and long-time resident of Oxford, Ohio. Not a day passed that Mom didn’t think of going home to be with Dad.  Her love transcended his death and now her own.

Others preceding her in death: her parents Millard and Elrena Louise; her sister and brother-in-law Pearl Lawson nee Hisle and brother-in-law Ray Lawson; her brother Douglas Millard Hisle; her mother-in-law, Daisy Bowling nee Harris; her father-in-law Robert Bowling; her sister-in-law Isabella Bowling nee Scott; her brother-in-law Bill Faulkner; and other family and friends with whom she is now rejoicing.

We have survived our mother and we will miss her every day until we meet again: Son, Robert Cletus Bowling; Daughter, Elrena “Linda” Witt; Daughter, Patricia Ellen Bowling (husband Rene Terhorst); Daughter, Leslie Kay Horchak (husband James Horchak); her sister Diane Faulkner nee Hisle; her sister-in-law Gladys Phillips nee Bowling and brother-in-law Albert Phillips; her brother-in-law Gaston Bowling; Mom’s grandchildren: Cletus Robert William Bowling (Brittany); Daniel Andrew Bowling (Rachel); Elrena “Victoria” Lynn Scalia nee Witt (Tanner); Benjamin James Horchak; Isaac Matthew Horchak; Cassandra Marlene Bowling.  And survived by two bonus daughters Kate (Charlie) and Anne (Kim); nieces; nephews; great grand-children; other family and many friends.

Names were important to Mom, recognizing the grace, mercy and charity of others was important to Mom, Family was important to Mom.  If you were a friend to Mom, she counted you as family.

As early as her teen years, Mom was known to organize and host baby showers, bridal showers and birthday parties.  No party hosted by Marlene was complete without a cake by Dolores McCann.  The smell in the car was magical.  Even with us rug rats in tow, I don’t think Mom ever lost a cake on route to its intended celebration.

Mom worked, oh she worked.  Always a caregiver, she would be exhausted and make her way to work.  Retiring from Miami University in 2011. She began work outside her home at age six with a paper route. Some may remember her at age 16, from her Minnis Drugs days.  Many of those dear customers long past.

In the early days of their marriage, in the evenings, she would ride along with Dad to check on cattle or a construction job site.  She may have been your Avon Lady; many of you remember Mom and Aunt “Isbelle” in action at the College View Restaurant; Goodwin’s Restaurant in uptown Oxford, the other side of town at Phillips 27 with Aunt Gladys and Uncle Albert; or Macy’s in uptown Oxford.  All the while still a caregiver. 

In 1 Corinthians 13:13, Paul writes, “But now faith, hope, and love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.”  We pray that this scripture blesses you as God intended because love is an attribute of Him, love is powerful and love is eternal.  Our mom loved us so much, she loved those around her so much, she was able to love because she was first loved by our Savior.  Accepting God’s love and grace through faith in Jesus Christ is the answer for you to receive this eternal love and give more love in this life. 

Mom will be laid to rest, next to Dad on April 6, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Springdale Cemetery near Riley, Ohio.  Arrangements in Kentucky are being handled by Barbourville Funeral Home in Barbourville, Kentucky and local arrangements by Brown Dawson Flick. 

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in memory of Marlene Bowling to the American Diabetes Association or to the Springdale Cemetery Association, 6750 Imhoff Rd., Oxford, OH 45056.

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