Betty Jean (Laughlin) Bowersox

     Betty “Jean” Bowersox, age 97, a longtime resident of Penn Street in New Bethlehem, died Friday morning, March 9, 2018.

      Born May 5, 1920 in Porter Township, Clarion County, she was a daughter of the late Charles A. and Ruth I. Polliard Laughlin.

     She married James “Dean” Bowersox on August 12, 1948 and he preceded her in death on December 12, 2008.

     A graduate of Clarion State Teachers College, Mrs. Bowersox taught at Porter Elementary School before becoming a fulltime homemaker.  Later, she managed and worked at the Bowersox Food Locker in New Bethlehem.

     She was a longtime active member of the Oakwood Presbyterian Church until it closed, and the oldest living member of the New Bethlehem Civic Club.  She relished spending time with her family, listening to music, and enjoying the beauty of flowers.

    Mrs. Bowersox is survived by a son, James E. Bowersox and his wife, Mickey, of Shippenville; a daughter, Jane Mercatoris and her husband, Gerry, of Brookville; four grandchildren:  Julie Hagan and husband, Dan; Jenny Sturgeon and husband, Casey; C.G. Mercatoris and Elaina Mercatoris; four great grandchildren:  Allyn and Hadlee Hagan and Kaden and Cora Sturgeon and one sister, Romaine McCauley.

     In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Marilyn Snyder; grandson, Alan Snyder; brother, Charles Laughlin and sister, Louise Moorhead.

     Friends will be received from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Monday, March 12, 2018 at the Rupert Funeral Home and Cremation Service chapel, 233 Penn Street, New Bethlehem.

    Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at the New Bethlehem Presbyterian Church, 403 Penn Street, New Bethlehem with the Reverend Jack Gareis officiating.

    Interment will follow in the Squirrel Hill Cemetery in Porter Township, Clarion County.

     Memorial contributions may be given in the name of Betty Jean Bowersox to the Redbank Valley Public Library, 720 Broad Street, New Bethlehem, PA  16242 or the Redbank Valley Community Center, 430 Broad Street, New Bethlehem, PA  16242

     Online condolences may be sent to Jean’s family at www.rupertfuneralhomes.com

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