Obituary for Jean Bowman
Jean (Hiestand) Bowman, 90, of Reading, passed away on May 12, 2023 at St Joseph’s Hospital. Born in Reading, PA she was the daughter of the late William and Anna (Kowaleski) Bowman and was the loving wife of James W. Bowman until his passing in 2006.
Jean was primarily a homemaker that also worked at Jane’s Clip Joint, Seiber’s Kiddie Kastle, and Hiester’s Lanes Bowling Alley. A dedicated mother, she was active with her children throughout the years, taking Melanie to Majorette practices and competitions and David to Mite/Midget Football and tuba lessons.
She was active in the 6th and Amity Playground Association, manning the concession stand for bingo, movie nights, and festivals, making her famous fries. She was always cooking dozens of eggs for the Annual Easter Egg Hunt and feeding all the kids on Good Friday with egg salad sandwiches. She was a past president of the 5th and Spring Elementary School PTA. There were so many fun times watching her on stage performing skits with teachers and fellow PTA members. She was a former President of the Reading High Marching Band Band-Aides. Jean was always supplied with candy, cupcakes, and brownies for our many trips to games and parades. She never slept on buses so she always kept the bus drivers entertained on those long spring trips to Virginia, Canada, North Carolina, and Florida. She loved marching behind the band or just cheering us on along the parade route.
A huge sports fan, Jean loved the Phillies, Eagles, and her favorite, the Reading High Boys Basketball Team. She watched every televised Phillies game beginning in spring training until the final out of the season. A fond memory we will always have is how she couldn’t cross-pollinate her home with both Phillies and Eagles gear. The Eagles gear couldn’t come out until the Phillies season was over. She was an avid fan that would scream, yell, and clap like she was at the game. This year brought her much joy with the championship runs of the Eagles and Phillies and of course the State Championship for her Reading Red Knights.
She touches so many generations of kids from the playground, 5th and Spring, and Marching Band. There wasn’t a summer night that kids wouldn’t be around the house playing games or just hanging out. Another one of her favorite nights was sitting on the front porch on Halloween with a few buckets of candy. She also followed her granddaughters throughout their High School years, again attending all their bowling matches and marching band events. So much so, that their friends would also call her Mom Mom.
She loved being active and bowled for years at the park in downtown Reading and Hiester’s Lanes. She was a collector of many things, but mostly angels and her snowmen. Her snowman Christmas tree was a favorite of hers.
Jean is survived by her children; Melanie Aulenbach married to Charles of Oley, and David Bowman of Reading, grandchildren; Kristin Beissel married to Jason of Bernville, Amy Michalski married to Matt of Muhlenberg Twp., great-grandchildren; Zachary, Sara, and Jacob. She was preceded in death by her 3 brothers; William, Robert, and Carl Hiestand.
A viewing will be held on Thursday, May 18, 2023 at Kuhn Funeral Home, 739 Penn Ave West Reading, PA 19611 from 5-7 PM and on Friday, May 19, 2023 from 11am-12pm. A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 19, 2023 at Kuhn Funeral Home at 12 PM. Interment to follow in Forest Hills Memorial Park.
She loved spending time with her family, especially her 3 great-grandchildren. A mother, Mom Mom, and Gammie, she will be missed by us all- we never left the house without looking back at her and seeing her give the I Love You with her hand in sign language. We love you and will miss you dearly- give us the sign.
Jean was primarily a homemaker that also worked at Jane’s Clip Joint, Seiber’s Kiddie Kastle, and Hiester’s Lanes Bowling Alley. A dedicated mother, she was active with her children throughout the years, taking Melanie to Majorette practices and competitions and David to Mite/Midget Football and tuba lessons.
She was active in the 6th and Amity Playground Association, manning the concession stand for bingo, movie nights, and festivals, making her famous fries. She was always cooking dozens of eggs for the Annual Easter Egg Hunt and feeding all the kids on Good Friday with egg salad sandwiches. She was a past president of the 5th and Spring Elementary School PTA. There were so many fun times watching her on stage performing skits with teachers and fellow PTA members. She was a former President of the Reading High Marching Band Band-Aides. Jean was always supplied with candy, cupcakes, and brownies for our many trips to games and parades. She never slept on buses so she always kept the bus drivers entertained on those long spring trips to Virginia, Canada, North Carolina, and Florida. She loved marching behind the band or just cheering us on along the parade route.
A huge sports fan, Jean loved the Phillies, Eagles, and her favorite, the Reading High Boys Basketball Team. She watched every televised Phillies game beginning in spring training until the final out of the season. A fond memory we will always have is how she couldn’t cross-pollinate her home with both Phillies and Eagles gear. The Eagles gear couldn’t come out until the Phillies season was over. She was an avid fan that would scream, yell, and clap like she was at the game. This year brought her much joy with the championship runs of the Eagles and Phillies and of course the State Championship for her Reading Red Knights.
She touches so many generations of kids from the playground, 5th and Spring, and Marching Band. There wasn’t a summer night that kids wouldn’t be around the house playing games or just hanging out. Another one of her favorite nights was sitting on the front porch on Halloween with a few buckets of candy. She also followed her granddaughters throughout their High School years, again attending all their bowling matches and marching band events. So much so, that their friends would also call her Mom Mom.
She loved being active and bowled for years at the park in downtown Reading and Hiester’s Lanes. She was a collector of many things, but mostly angels and her snowmen. Her snowman Christmas tree was a favorite of hers.
Jean is survived by her children; Melanie Aulenbach married to Charles of Oley, and David Bowman of Reading, grandchildren; Kristin Beissel married to Jason of Bernville, Amy Michalski married to Matt of Muhlenberg Twp., great-grandchildren; Zachary, Sara, and Jacob. She was preceded in death by her 3 brothers; William, Robert, and Carl Hiestand.
A viewing will be held on Thursday, May 18, 2023 at Kuhn Funeral Home, 739 Penn Ave West Reading, PA 19611 from 5-7 PM and on Friday, May 19, 2023 from 11am-12pm. A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 19, 2023 at Kuhn Funeral Home at 12 PM. Interment to follow in Forest Hills Memorial Park.
She loved spending time with her family, especially her 3 great-grandchildren. A mother, Mom Mom, and Gammie, she will be missed by us all- we never left the house without looking back at her and seeing her give the I Love You with her hand in sign language. We love you and will miss you dearly- give us the sign.