Helen Lorina Bowers

Helen Lorina Bowers, née Huelskamp, of Dayton passed away on July 20, 2026, at the age of 101. She was born on May 5, 1925, in Coldwater, Ohio. 

She was preceded in death by her son, Charles Bowers; her parents, William and Caroline Huelskamp; her sisters, Mary Huelskamp, Irene Siefring (Herb), Ann Schmitmeyer (Art), Edna Grilliot (Bob) and Sally Huelskamp; and her brothers, Louis Huelskamp and Ralph Huelskamp.

Helen is survived by her children, Elizabeth Pretzinger (John), JoAnn Martin (Terry), Mary Kay Bowers, Michael Bowers and  Lorina Amburgey; and her daughter-in-law, Linda Bowers. She is also survived by her grandchildren, John Cottrill, Jenny Barham, Caroline Amburgey, Emily Amburgey, Zach Sidana and Elizabeth Amburgey; and her great-grandchildren, Aaron Sparks (Kaitlyn), Christian Cottrill and Alyssa Barham. Helen also leaves many nieces and nephews including Judy Whitehead, who assisted in her end of life care; and a best friend of 60 years, Vicki Cain.

Helen instilled in her family the strong work ethic and independent spirit she developed growing up on a farm in Mercer County, Ohio. She moved to Dayton at age 18 and worked from then until age 77 outside the home while providing for her family. She was an avid reader of which her favorite book was the Bible. Her Christian faith was the bedrock of her life.

The love of reading allowed her to stay attuned to current events from the time she was a young adult, especially around politics. She enjoyed everything about nature, particularly the birds, trees and flowers. Although mostly an introvert, Helen’s personality provided many moments of laughter at family functions. Her creativity surfaced during her later years in her hundreds of colorings.

Helen gave to others often when she could least afford to do so. Her strength, independence, selflessness and caring will be remembered by all those whose lives she touched.

Visitation will be held from 1:00pm-1:30pm, on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at the Woodland Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel, 118 Woodland Avenue, Dayton, where Funeral Services will begin at 1:30pm.

Donations may be made in Helen's memory to Ohio's Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Ave., Dayton, OH, 45420.

To share a memory of Helen or leave a special message for her family, please visit the Guestbook below.

"If she was your mother,

your love and respect for

her grew with the years

as you came to realize

what she had given you...

If she was your grandmother,

you had only a tiny bit of the

love and happiness she would

have given you and perhaps

yours is the greatest loss...

If our sorrow is to be lessened

by anything, it may be

remembering the joy of loving

and being loved by her."