David Bowerman

David Ward L Bowerman, a minister of the Gospel for over sixty years, returned to his Heavenly Father in the late hours of May 16, 2011, at his home after a lengthy illness, with his beloved wife and children by his side. Dave, as he was universally known, was born on a farm in rural Shellbrook, Saskatchewan, on August 13, 1929, to Edward L. “Roy” Bowerman and Laura Anderson Bowerman, the fifth of six children. His youth was spent in that area, receiving his education in a one-room schoolhouse. After high school, Dave traveled with two of his brothers across western Canada, doing mostly farm and lumber mill work.
In 1947, while attending a church youth camp at Sylvan Lake, Alberta, Dave formally met and began dating the young lady who would become his bride of nearly sixty-one years, Myrtle Anholt of Edmonton, Alberta. The couple were united in marriage in Edmonton on June 10, 1950. To this union, the couple would eventually be blessed with five children, four sons and one daughter. About a year after marrying, Dave and Myrt, as she was known to family and friends, immigrated from Canada to the U.S. with their eldest child. They first settled in Pasco, Washington, where two of his brothers lived. They later moved to Omaha, Nebraska, for a short time and finally arrived in Independence, Missouri, where the family lived for the next several years. Dave spent most of those years working in marketing and sales with such companies as Lever Brothers and Prudential Insurance.
However, in 1959, after the urging of a long-time RLDS Church friend and mentor, Dave, Myrt and their children accepted fulltime ministerial church appointment and moved back to the Omaha-Council Bluffs area where they would live for the next seven years. Over time, Dave’s ministerial assignments would bring his family and him back to Kansas City, followed by Tulsa, Oklahoma, finally returning to the Independence area where Dave and Myrt have resided since 1983. Dave retired from fulltime RLDS church appointment in 1991, having faithfully served the church for 32 years. He did not, however, retire, choosing instead to help facilitate the organization of the Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where he continued active preaching and bringing ministry until his declining health prevented him from doing so.
Dave is preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Edna and Olive; and two brothers, Steve and Ted. He is survived by his wife, Myrtle, of the home; four sons: Donald and wife, Tina, of Council Bluffs, IA; Grant and wife, Jane, of Blue Springs, MO; Van of Columbia, MO; and Reginald and wife, Lesa, of Shakopee, MN; and one daughter, Patricia Jobe, and husband, Robert, of Delaware, OK. He is also survived by his brother, Glenn Bowerman, of Independence, MO. Dave leaves nine grandchildren: Chad, Rachel, Sarah, David, William, Leah, Matthew, Shannon, Sean, and one great-grandchild, Anna; several cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws and countless friends to mourn his passing.
Visitation will be held 5-8 pm, Thursday, May 19, 2011 at Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th Street, Independence, MO 64055. A private family graveside service will be held. A Memorial service will be held at 3 pm, Friday, May 20 at The Gathering Place, 2820 S. 291 Hwy (west frontage road) in Independence. The family suggests contributions to John Knox Village Hospice, 400 N.W. Murray Road, Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 or The Gathering Place, c/o the Remnant Church General Headquarters, 700 W. Lexington Ave., Independence, MO 64050.