Arthur Bowman, 68

Arthur Wayne Bowman, age 68, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly Monday evening, Jan. 2, 2017, at his home.
He was born July 4, 1948, in Sturgis, a son of the late Virgil E. and Pauline (Dunham) Bowman.
Arthur was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1967. In his senior year, he earned the Golden Hammer Award, the highest award given in the building trades program.
In 1989, he married Linda Boughton at St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Sturgis. She preceded him in death.
During most of Arthur’s working life he was self-employed as an auto body painter and carpenter.
He was an outdoorsman, enjoying hunting and fishing, and he also enjoyed riding his Honda Shadow motorcycle. Arthur had hobbies and enjoyments, but what he truly loved was time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren.
He is survived by three sons, Shaunry Bowman and Arthur Wayne Bowman II, both of Sturgis, and Joseph Bowman of Auburn, N.Y.; four grandchildren, Ashley, Arthur Wayne III, Nicholas and Seth Bowman; a brother. Thomas (Sandy) Bowman of Bumpass, Va.; and two nephews and two nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and a sister. Lecia Nichols.
The family will receive friends from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday at the Hackman Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis.
Funeral services celebrating the life of Arthur Wayne Bowman will begin at 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. The Rev. Dennis DeMott of First Baptist Church of Sturgis will officiate.
In accordance with Arthur’s wishes, cremation will follow the service. Private burial of the ashes will take place at a later date at Constantine Cemetery in Constantine.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be directed to Enrichment Center, 306 N. Franks Ave., Sturgis, MI 49091.
His obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfunrealhomes.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.