Blaine Bowlin

E. Blaine Bowlin, 90, passed away peacefully on January 11, 2019, at Newton Medical Center surrounded by the love of his family.

Blaine was born December 19, 1928, in Worth, Missouri to Raymond and Rose (Bigger) Bowlin.  When Blaine was a young boy, the family moved to a farm in Langdon, Kansas.  They lived there until he was a freshman and then moved to a farm near Furley, Kansas.  Blaine worked on the family farm and various odd jobs before he was drafted by the U.S. Army in 1950.  He served 2 years during the Korean War.  Even though he was only in the service for 2 years, he quickly climbed the ranks to Sargent 1st Class.  He was very proud of his time in the service.

On June 16, 1953 he married a beautiful schoolteacher named Elizabeth (Betty) Marie Mosiman in Elbing, Kansas.  They made their home in Whitewater, Kansas for the next 65 years.    

Upon returning home from the service, Blaine went to work for Clyde Stark, the owner of Whitewater Locker Plant.  After 3 years, Blaine and his wife, Elizabeth, bought the Locker from Clyde.   They were blessed with 3 children, Scott, Brenda and Carl.  While he worked to teach his children to find pride in hard work, he was a loving and devoted father.  For 27 years, summer vacations meant driving to Minnesota for 2 weeks of relaxing and fishing at Solinger’s Resort.  This was always a welcome reprieve for Blaine.  Blaine was hardworking and meticulous in everything he did.  His locker plant was used as an example for all lockers in Kansas.  He lobbied in Topeka and Washington D.C. to help get meat inspection passed for the State of Kansas.  After 37 years of hard work, they turned the plant over to their son, Scott, on January 1, 1991.

Blaine was well accepted by the civic and business leaders of Whitewater.  He served willingly in numerous positions.  He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce and served for 21 years on the City Council.  He played an integral part in the development of Wheatstate Manor and served on the Board of Directors for 14 years.  He was a member of the Legion Post 65 for 65 years and the Masonic Lodge.  Blaine served on the Board of Directors for the Butler County Community College Endowment Assoc. for many years and as president for 2 years.  He was a member of the Federated Church and worked willingly in many capacities including accomplishing much during his many years as chairman of the Trustees.  This is just a small sample of Blaine’s accomplishments. 

When he wasn’t spending his time serving others, he could be found spending the days tending to his yard and evenings in his shop building things.  His yard was his pride and joy.  He loved keeping it groomed and making it a showcase.  After retirement, Blaine filled the hours he wasn’t in his shop or yard watching his grandkids grow up.  Many weekends were spent having sleepovers.  Watching TV at the kitchen table, eating wafer cookies and drinking Pepsi at 9 pm was always a highlight.  Of course, much of that time was spent in the yard.  Friday evenings for Blaine and Betty always included dinner at China Inn, where they became great friends with the owners.  When he was no longer able to do the things he loved outside because of his health, he found joy in watching his wife fill the patio with flowers which he enjoyed while sitting at the kitchen table.  In his last years, Blaine loved to have visitors drop by and bend their ears for hours with stories from the past.  He had a wealth of history he loved to share with anyone who would listen.

Blaine is preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Donna Lee Bowlin, his brother Carl Bowlin and his son, Carl Wade Bowlin. 
Blaine is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 65 years, Elizabeth, of the home.  Son, Scott (Terre) of Whitewater and daughter, Brenda (David) Highbarger of Towanda.  He is also survived by grandchildren, Brandon Bowlin, Grant (Adriane) Bowlin, Cameron (Jessica) Bowlin, Stacia (Matt) Hobbs, Devin (Tara) Highbarger, Kelsey Highbarger and Talia Highbarger.  Great grandchildren:  Ayden and Cooper Bowlin, Jude, Julian, and Jentry Bowlin, Waylon Bowlin and Landon, Spencer and Ainsleigh Hobbs.