Barbara J. Bowman

Liberty resident Barbara J. Bowman, 82, formerly of Cincinnati passed away suddenly on July 14, 2023 at the University of Kansas Hospital. Barb was born to the late Albert and Janet Retzsch in Cincinnati, Ohio. Barb married Willie “Bill” Bowman on December 7, 1957. She was employed for ten years at McAlpin’s in the Northgate Mall prior to moving to the Liberty area. In 1997, Barb began working with Union County Schools as a transportation aid on the special needs bus. She adored the children on her bus, and they adored her. Across the community, she was affectionately referred to as Miss Barb. When she wasn’t on the bus, she enjoyed camping, painting, caring for her dogs and meticulously tending to her flowers and her gardens. Barb was so proud of her family, and there was nothing she loved more than making memories with them. To know Barb was to love her. She was an exceptional mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend. In addition to her loving husband of sixty-five years, Barb is survived by her children and their spouses: Ronald (Ronda) Bowman, Nancy Bowman, Lisa (Brent) Hylton; brother: Don Retzsch; grandchildren: Amanda (Eric) Schneider, Nathan (Laura) Bowman, James Bowman, Luke Bowman, Alli Hylton; great-grandchildren: Cameron, Henry, Christian, Noah; canine companions: Joe and Lila. Barb is preceded in death by her parents and several canine companions. A Celebration of Life will be conducted at 4:00p.m., Sunday, July 23, 2023 at Showalter Blackwell Long, Fosdick Chapel with Rob Clevenger officiating. Friends may visit at the funeral home from 12:00 p.m., until the time of service. Memorial contributions may be made to Adopt-A-Dog in Barb’s honor.