Mary “Birdena” (Bowyer) Neher, 100, of Camden, Peru, Ft. Wayne, and Trafalgar, Indiana and most recently Tampa, Florida, joined her Lord and Savior on August 18, 2011. The world was honored when she was born September 10, 1910. A blessed child of God, devoted lover and feeder of the wild birds that frequented her yard, she lived her life with love, grace, dignity, and service to her Lord, her family, and the community, an inspiration of faith and integrity to all who knew her. She was predeceased by her parents, Alvin Wheeler Bowyer and Rosa Etta Timmons Bowyer; her husband of sixty-four (64) years, Wilbur Herschel Neher; a son, John Richard (Dick) Neher; brothers, Anthony M. Bowyer, Alvin W. Bowyer, Jr., Theodore T. Bowyer; and sister, Clara Bowyer Minnick. She is survived by her children, Herschel “Dean” Neher (Judith) of Tampa, Florida, Rosemae Neher Townsend (Kenneth) of Trafalgar, Indiana, James Alvin Neher (Lynn) of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and Dick’s wife, Sherry Neher, of Ft. Wayne. She was “Grammie” to grandchildren, Rhonda Bruckman, Kelly Harrell (Brod,) Ellen Mae Paris (Rick,) Diana Beth Skoronsky (Jim,) Kristi Davisson (Craig,) Lee Townsend, Melissa Phelps (Bradley), and Rebecca Quaintance (Shaun), Angie James (Wes) and Charity Fesler. She was loved by her great-grandchildren Jon and Steven Bruckman (Emily), Kristin Reitz (Nathan) and Karinne Slezak (Zach), Meagan Wilmers (Craig), Amy Church, Brandy Harrell and Brittney Bridges (Casey), Ryan, Brandon, and Kendall Paris, Carolyn and Kathryn Davisson, Nathan and Hayley Quaintance, Nicholas Phelps, Caroline, Mary Wesley, and Charles James; and her great great-grandchildren, Brianna Paris, Jewellann & Brodrick Bridges, Ashur & Trinity Slezak, Tyler Wilmers. She has left her inprint on many beloved nieces and nephews. For years she worked as an “Avon Lady” and worked at Senger’s in Peru, Indiana. She served for thirteen (13) years as Miami County Chairman of the March of Dimes/Mothers’ March on Polio. A long-time member and Deaconess in the American Baptist Convention and Oakdale Baptist Church in Peru, she taught the High School Sunday School classes for many years, sang in the choir, served as chair of the Spiritual Growth Committee both at the local and state association levels. She was president of the Missionary Society, president and secretary of United Church Women at Oakdale Baptist Church, Peru, Indiana, and in the local association. “Birdena” served on the School Board at Peru, Indiana, and was president of the High School and County PTA in the Peru/Miami County areas. She was a volunteer for many years at Northwood Elementary in Franklin as a Grammie to Kindergartners. Her life meant something to all who knew, served with, and loved her. She is missed by those who take comfort in knowing she is with the Lord.
A celebration of her almost 101 years will be held at Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, Indiana, on Saturday, August 27, 2011 at 1 P.M., with interment following in Camden Cemetery in Camden, Indiana. Calling hours will be held from 5 P.M. until 7 P.M. on Friday the 26th and one hour prior to the celebration at the mortuary. Memorial contributions may be made to LifePath Hospice, 12973 N. Telecom Parkway, Suite 100, Tampa, Florida 33637. Online condolences &/or memories shared may be sent to www.swartzmortuary.com. Information: 317-738-0202..