Donald E. Bowling left this earthly home on October 16, 2022. He was born at Bronson
Methodist Hospital on July 14, 1944, to Donald Howard Bowling and Sophia Josephine Mazurek
Bowling of Kalamazoo, MI. He graduated from Kalamazoo High School, Kalamazoo, MI. Don was
born the second of the Bowlings' four boys, Thomas, Donald, William, and Larry. He was
preceded in death by two brothers, Thomas and William.
Don served in the US Army as an Armor Crewman, a Practical Nurse, a Medical NCO, and a Field
Recruiter. He received the following decorations, medals, citations, or ribbons during his time
in the service: Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Achievement Medal, Army
Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal (3 awards), and
Basic Recruiting Badge.
Don loved to travel, Hawaii, Germany, or even the United States. He loved meeting new people
and visiting with old friends. It was not unusual to see him standing in a store or shop talking to
someone he had just met and he would call me over to introduce me to his new acquaintance,
someone whom we would end up knowing for years to come. He loved concerts and listened
to music all the time at home, panning for gold and tramping through the woods to find the
perfect spot and camping out under the stars, gambling in the casino all night long, any kind of
fishing, golfing with friends, a good steak, playing Euchre for hours, shooting pool with friends,
a good meal out on the town, and the people he called family, they were the really special ones
in his life.
He is survived by his wife, Christine, of Bradenton, FL ; his brother, Larry, of Galesburg, MI; his
son, Donald M. Bowling (LeAnne Burgess) of PawPaw MI; daughters Angel Bruhn (Mark) of
Fairfield Glade, TN; and Nichole Curley (Matthew J.) of North Port, FL; and six grandchildren,
Kaylee Bowling, Madison Bowling, Megan Bowling, Alysa Curley, Ashley Curley, and Matthew C.
Curley.
The service will be at Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 SR 72, Sarasota, FL 34241, on
December 9th at 1:30 pm. They will start lining up the cars at 1:10 pm and attendees' will be
directed to the pavilion for the service. The service will be 20-25 minutes long at the
pavilion. Immediately following the service there will be a reception for family and friends,
along with a light meal at Myakka City United Methodist Church, 10525 Lebanon Street,
Myakka City, FL 34251.
Flower arrangements are not permitted at the Sarasota National Cemetery. The family has
requested flowers or donations be sent to the Myakka City United Methodist Church in the
name of Donald Bowling. Arrangements entrusted to Veterans Funeral Care.