Wayne Z. Bowers, 77 / May 6, 1934 — Aug. 10, 2011

Published 5:00 pm Thursday, August 18, 2011

Wayne Z. Bowers, 77, of Elkhart and formerly of Edwardsburg, passed away on Wednesday evening, Aug. 10, 2011 at Elkhart General Hospital.

Wayne was born May 6, 1934 near Cassopolis, the son of Merle J. Bowers Sr. and Thelma Pearl (Bishop) Bowers of Wake Forrest, N.C.

Surviving are seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Merle J. Bowers Jr. of Cassopolis and Marlin (Connie) Bowers of White Pigeon, Mich.; two sisters-in-law, Barbara Bowers of Tennessee and Joyce Bowers of Irons, Mich.; and a loving “little sister-in-law,” Phyllis Malone of Elkhart; and many nieces and nephews.

Family who have preceded Wayne in death are his parents; two sisters, Irmalee Ruth “Susie” Lawson and a sister in infancy; two brothers, Dorman Bowers and Kenneth Bowers; and two brothers-in-law, Earl “Skip” Malone and Herbert Lawson.

Wayne and his wife, Jane, owned several restaurants, one north of Roseland, on U.S. 31 (Dixie Highway) and the Rootbeer Drive-In in Edwardsburg. They enjoyed the restaurant business and the many friends they made in their years in operation. When the Hope United Methodist Church was built, Wayne and Jane were involved in the fixtures and design of the kitchen for the right design for the church.

Friends and family gathered at the Paul E. Mayhew Funeral Home, 26863 W. Main (US-12) in Edwardsburg, on Saturday, Aug. 13 from 2 to 5 p.m. to remember Wayne.

The service of remembrance was held Sunday, Aug. 14 at 2 p.m. in Hope United Methodist Church, 69941 Elkhart Road in Edwardsburg. Officiating was the Rev. Jeff Reese, pastor and the Rev. Troy Bowers, a nephew of Wayne’s.

Interment was in Adamsville Cemetery.