Leora M. (Rowe) Martin

Leora M. Martin, age 100, made her Heavenly journey on Monday, January 11, 2021.  Leora was born on June 13,1920 in Elkhart, with her twin sister, Delora, to Carlton E. and Ruth N. Rowe.  She married George D. Bowers on May 18,1941, the father of her children.  She later married Bruce L. Martin on August 12, 1989.

Leora’s life revolved around her love for the Lord.  After attending Grace United Methodist Church as a child and adult, she followed her faith as several area churches merged together and created Faith United Methodist Church in Goshen.  She was very proud to be a founding member of Faith United Methodist Church.  Leora retired from NIBCO after 28 years of service and she also retired from Elkhart Community Schools after 17 years as an executive secretary 

Leora is survived by her twin sister, Delora Bloomingdale of Sun Valley, California: her children, Marilou (Richard) Snell of Elkhart and Bruce (Dianne) Bowers of Mesa, Arizona: her step-daughter, Faith Martin of Goshen and her step-son, Blair (Mary) Martin of Sterling, Kansas; her grandchildren, Shaun (Michelle) Bowers, Jason (Angela) Bowers, Sara Butler, Andy (Alysa) Snell and step-grandson Tim (Bianca) Martin: great-grandchildren, Megan Bowers, Derek Bowers, Amy Bowers, Gabrielle Snell, Gaven Butler, Landon Snell, Avianna Snell and expecting a new great granddaughter in April and step-great grandson, Becket Martin;  great-great grandchildren, Marlee Roth, Jade Roth and Alec Roth. Leora was preceded in death by her son, George D. Bowers, Jr (nickname Skip); her husband, Bruce L. Martin; her sister, Lillie Gruber and her brother Emmett Rowe.

A celebration of Leora’s life will be held at a later date, pending out of town family safely traveling, at Faith United Methodist Church, 22045 CR 18, Goshen IN  46528.  Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd, Elkhart IN  46514 is assisting Leora’s family.  Memorial donations may be made to Faith United Methodist Church or Heartland Hospice, 230 W Catalpa Dr Unit D, Mishawaka, IN  46545.  Online condolences may be sent to Leora’s family at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com.  The Bowers, Snell and Martin families would like to express, “Thank you for all of your love, support, and care given to Leora!” to the facility and staff at Greenleaf Health Campus, Heartland Hospice and Brentwood at Elkhart. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.