Velma I. Wilms Bowman 1920-2023

She was born Jan. 21, 1920, in Phalanx Mills, Ohio, the daughter of the late Carl Bronson and Eva Stroup Bronson.

Velma married Wayne L. Wilms on Oct. 12, 1940, and they were blessed with 36 wonderful years of marriage before his passing on Sept. 24, 1977. Velma then married her second husband, Glenn C. Bowman, on Dec. 19, 1986, and he passed away on Oct. 15, 1994. She worked as an advertising supervisor for Alcan Building Products for 13 years, retiring in 1983.

Velma was a lifetime member of the Braceville United Methodist Church, and played both organ and piano for many functions at the church. She had a talent and a gift for playing both instruments and used that talent over the years, playing various weddings and funerals and giving piano lessons to many young people. Her talent shined in the 1990s at her church’s sponsored pork chop dinners, where she played people’s requests, while they ate their dinner. She really enjoyed Warren SCOPE and playing the card game “500,” with various members, including her brother and sister. Velma also enjoyed playing for group sing-a-longs to old favorite tunes, including hymns such as “The Old Rugged Cross,” patriotic songs, and popular tunes from the 1940s and 1950s.

Velma also was accomplished at crocheting and made afghans for all her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed going to craft shows where she sold doilies, afghans, baby blankets and baby sweater sets, as well as reconditioned dolls dressed in her crocheted doll clothes.

Velma was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Wayne and Glenn; one daughter, Sandra Kay Wilkenson; one son, Richard L. Wilms; two sisters, Violet Goff and Evelyn Bullus; and one brother, Myron Bronson.

She is survived by one daughter, Maureen (Larry) Seafert of Champion; one sister, Belva Shoff of Melbourne, Fla.; one brother, James Bronson of Kinsman; and seven grandchildren, Scott (Mary) Gallo, Ross (Heather) Gallo, Teresa Gallo, Dan (Jennifer) Wilms, Eric (Michelle) Wilms, Michael Seafert and Lauren Seafert; and seven great-grandchildren, Logan, Hailey, Isabella, Evan, Nicholas, Mallory Rose Gallo and Jacob Wilms.

Cremation has taken place.

A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept.14, 2023, at the Braceville United Methodist Church, with Pastor Joan Purnell officiating the service. The family will receive friends for calling hours from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the church.

She will be laid to rest beside her first husband, Wayne, in Braceville Cemetery.

Per Velma’s wishes, any donations are to be made to the Braceville United Methodist Church, 589 Park Road, Newton Falls, OH 44444, in her memory.

Many thanks to the wonderful staff at Champion Estates, for the loving care they gave to Miss Velma. She loved all the caregivers, calling them “her girls” and our entire family will be forever grateful to them for making her last year so special.

Arrangements have been entrusted to James Funeral Home, 8 E. Broad St., Newton Falls, OH 44444, 330-872-5440. Family and friends may view her obituary online or to send condolences, visit www.james

funeralhomeinc.com.

(special notice)