Mary Helen Bostwick's Obituary
Mary Helen Knight Bostwick passed away on May 12, 2022 at 95 years of age. She was born on April 11, 1927 in Rutledge, Missouri. She was the only daughter of John Stuart and Thelma Madeline (Hendricks) Knight. She attended the first eight grades at Oak Forest County School near Rutledge. Mary graduated from Memphis High School in 1945. She then went to Burlington, Iowa to work in the Ordinance plant until August after World War II ended.
She was united in marriage to William Bostwick in Ft. Madison, Iowa at the First United Methodist Church on November 18, 1945. To this union came three children: Sheila, William Jr., and Stan.
After moving to Appanoose County in 1950, she worked for Sylvania, Uniform Printing, and Union Carbide, plus working on the farm. They bought their present farm in 1963, built their house, and moved there in 1965.
Mary loved horses and spent many hours riding. At one time, they had 64 head of Quarter horses. They rode in the Unionville Saddle Club and showed horses for several years. She enjoyed camping at the Iowa State Fair with Bill and was always a faithful companion to go with him to all of the country music shows and anywhere else he wanted to go. She was a member of the Seymour United Methodist Church, a 50-year member of the Order of Eastern Star, and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Survivors include her three children: Sheila Johnston (Kenny) of Seymour, William "Bud" Bostwick, Jr. of Seymour, Stan Bostwick (Teresa) of Havanna, Florida, four grandchildren: Dana Marten (Jay) of Denison, Iowa, Greg Johnston (Jenny) of Louisville, Kentucky, Jeff Johnston (Lisa) of Promise City, Iowa, Melanie Kirby (Darrell) of Antioch, California, nine great grandchildren: Jackson and Kennedy of Denison, Iowa, Elliot and Siggy of Louisville, Kentucky, Jantz, Kinzey, Nick, and Nadia of Promise City, Iowa, Cheyenne of Urbandale, Iowa; two great, great grandchildren, Vincent and Holden of Urbandale, Iowa; a sister, Nancy Meyers Castleberry of Gillette, Wyoming, and a sister-in-law, Jeanne Kisor, of Keokuk, Iowa.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William "Bill" Bostwick, grandson, Vincent Wayne Bostwick, and an infant sister, Martha Nelle.
A celebration of life will take place 11:00 AM, Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at Thomas Funeral Home in Seymour with Rev. Shawn LaRue officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to service from 10-11 AM. Interment will take place at a later date at Southlawn Cemetery next to her husband William. Memorials may be given to EveryStep Hospice or Seymour United Methodist Church. Mary's service will be streamed live at https://my.gather.app/remember/mary-bostwick
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