Mary Cowles' Obituary
Mary Lanor Cowles was born September 15, 1916 to Charles and Amelia (Sporer) Radosevich in Brazil, Iowa. She passed away Friday, August 22, 2014 at St. Anthony Home in Crown Point, Indiana with her daughter and granddaughters at her side.
Mary attended Brazil school and completed the 8th grade. She also worked for the WPA helping to clean the schools.
Mary met and married Joseph Robert (Sam) Cowles from Diamond and they moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan, where their 2 children, Carol and Robert, were born. They moved several times, living in NW Indiana, Texas and Michigan. Mary and Sam returned to NW Indiana where they raised their family and lived many years. Mary lost her beloved Sam on March 4, 1966. After Sam's death, she remained in Indiana, then moved to Illinois and finally returned to Centerville where she would reside for over 40 years.
Mary lived for over 20 years in one of Rita Matkovich's apartments on State Street. Rita was not only a wonderful friend to Mary but became her extended family. Mary's family will always be grateful for all of the love and kindness shown by the Matkovich family.
Mary spent the past several years living with her daughter in NW Indiana and resided the last 3 years in the St. Anthony Home.
Mary loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was a special GG to her great-grandsons Aidan and Nicholas who were the apples of her eyes. She enjoyed crocheting and made many doilies and afghans. She baked the best pies and loved playing bingo. She loved to travel across the United States, especially trips to visit her children and grandchildren. She also visited Hawaii, Europe and China.
Mary was very close to her siblings Max, Lewis and Laraine. She spent a lot of time with her niece, Terri Williamson and her children, Kate and Wayland, who were Mary's extended grandchildren. Mary always brightened people's day with her smile. She was a kind, loving, generous, independent woman who will be greatly missed.
Mary is survived by her daughter and son-in-law: Carol and George R. Batcha III of Hobart, Indiana; 6 grandchildren: George R. Batcha IV of Fredonia, Wisconsin, Ann Batcha of Lake Station, Indiana, Elizabeth (Keith) Weaver of Rensselaer, Indiana, Stephanie (Donald) McCormick of Hebron, Indiana, Stuart (Nichole) Batcha of Chesterton, Indiana and Anthony (Michelle) Cowles of Princeton, Indiana; 6 great-grandsons: George V and Jakob Batcha, Jacob and Joshua Weaver, Aidan and Nicholas McCormick; step great-grandson: Jason Adkins; brother: Lewis (late Doris) Radosevich of Centerville. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and their families.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Amelia (Sporer) Radosevich; husband, Joseph Robert (Sam) Cowles; son, Robert C. Cowles; daughter-in-law, Linda Cowles; infant grandson, Robert Stephen Cowles; brother, Max (late Alice) Radosevich and sister, Laraine VanOrt.
Funeral services will be held at 11 AM, Saturday, August 30, 2014 at Lange Funeral Home and Crematory in Centerville with Father Bill Hubmann officiating. Burial will follow in the Oakland Cemetery, Centerville. A visitation will be held on Saturday at the funeral home from 9-11 AM. Condolences may be left online at www.langefh.com. For more information please contact Lange Funeral Home and Crematory at 641-856-2000, 1900 S. 18th St., Centerville, Iowa 52544.
Visitation
August 30, 2014 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Lange Funeral Home 1900 S. 18th St. Centerville, IA (641) 856-2000
Funeral Service
August 30, 2014 11:00 AM
Lange Funeral Home 1900 S. 18th St. Centerville, IA (641) 856-2000
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