Emilyann (Combs) Fowler

Emilyann (Combs) Fowler, 82, of Evansville, passed away Sunday, December 6, 2009, at St. Mary's Medical Center. She was born in Vincennes, Ind., on March 14, 1927, to Everett and Ella Mae Combs.

In November, she celebrated her 64th Class Reunion from Bosse High School and her 60th Class Reunion from Evansville College. She taught at Bosse High School from 1949 to 1952. She dedicated her life to her family, friends, church and community. She volunteered in many organizations; including tutoring for the EVSC at Culver, reading for the Public Radio Reading Service, representing Trinity UMC on the Weekday Christian Education Board and Meals on Wheels. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, the Junior League, Tri Kappa Sorority, PEO, Friends of the Public Library, Castilian Sorority and Burdette Park board of directors. She was a Republican Clerk for the Vanderburgh County Election Board for approximately 35 years.

Emilyann was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Dudley, Walter, Franklin and Robert Combs.

Married for 58 years to James A. Fowler, she is survived by her husband and five children, Catherine (Dennis) Renner, Diane Fowler, Susan Fowler, Sarah (Mark) Aiton and David (Donna) Fowler; grandchildren, Kate (Alex) Fulton, Elizabeth Sickman, Amanda Aiton and Kyle Aiton; stepgrandchildren, David, Brandon and Brigitte Renner, Brittany Verville, Amanda Lundy and Andrea Grewe; great-grandchildren, Victoria Fulton, Lillian Siebers, Addison Verville and Ava Brookens; niece, Marcia Meeks; nephew, Jon Fowler; sister-in-law, Aline Pate, and her children, Jeff (Tina) Pate and Brad (Cindy) Pate.

Services 1 p.m. Wednesday, December 9, 2009, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 215 SE 3rd Street, Evansville, IN 47713, officiated by Rev. Allen W. Amstutz, with burial in Oak Hill Cemetery. Friends may visit Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Alexander East Chapel, 2115 Lincoln Avenue, and Wednesday from noon to service time at the church.

December 07, 2009
I spent many hours watching Mom, Sissy, Dots (Dodo to us!) and Emily - "The Debs" - play bridge. Their love for one another was truly amazing. I know how much you will all miss her. You are in my prayers.  Marty Slade Perlman, Dallas, Texas

December 07, 2009
Thoughts are for all family members. Sandra Andrews and family. Sandra Andrews, Evansville, Indiana

December 07, 2009
Emily was the most caring person. Always looking out for someone else, including her classmates at Bosse., where she led the senior class as President. She followed through with this reponsibiity for years. Making it possible for the class to reunite with old friendes at thier reunions, including the last one, the 64th, held in October of this year. We will all miss her.
One of her classmates, and friend, 'Nita Fowler Hopewell, Sarasota, Fl.

December 07, 2009
Emily's family, I am so sorry for your loss. That's not enough words to describe it. But am thinking of you and praying for all of you.
Cheri Ytzen, Evansville, Indiana

December 07, 2009
Cathy, Your mother was such a delightful lady; she visited with me at the Kennel Club just a day or two before she was hospitalized. We are lucky to have such wonderful parents. You and your family will be in my prayers.
Joan David

December 07, 2009
Diane and family, My thoughts and prayers are with you in the loss of your mother, wife, etc. She was such a vibrant lady. Rest assured that she is in heaven smiling down upon all of you.
Sincerely, Scott and Linda Wink

December 07, 2009
Our prayers are with you all. Ellerbrook Family, Evnasville, Indiana

December 07, 2009
Sarah, I am sorry to hear about your Mom. I know all of you have been through a lot lately, so please let us know what we can do to help. We love you very much and are here for you, anytime. Remember that our loss is God's gain!
Deepest Sympathy and love, Berry Plastics CS ERP Team
Debbie Pickerill, Evansville, Indiana

December 07, 2009
Sarah, Mark and family: Just a word to say we are thinking of you at this time. May God be with you all and give you His peace, as you travel thru this.
Darlene Carr, Evansville, Indiana

December 07, 2009
Jim and family, You are in our thoughts and prayers. Snookie & Dottie Wiley, Jasper, Indiana

December 07, 2009
Dear Cathy, I know that I will see you and your sisters over the next couple of days, but wanted you to know that your mother was truly, truly one of the most gracious and caring women I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. She was a true lady, in every sense of the word. I will miss her smile and warmth...
Love to all, Vicki Renner Schmitz

December 07, 2009
Cathy, Diane and Family, I was very saddened to read about your Mom. I know the family has been dealing with a lot these past few months. I will continue to keep the family in our thoughts and prayers.
Ruthie Shekell, Evansville, Indiana

December 07, 2009
Susan and others in Emily's family, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Emily. She was always a fun to talk to whether she was picking up books at the library or giving tours at the Reitz Home.
You will all be in my prayers.
Melissa Davis, Evansville, Indiana

December 07, 2009
I absolutely adored Emily - all of you are in my thoughts and heart. Jan Steinmark

December 07, 2009
Dear Diane, I', sorry for loss, I know what it's like to lose your Mother. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to call. Take care of yourself.
Kip Fussner, Evansville, Indiana

December 07, 2009
Emilyann has always been a sweet, lovable person--a joy to be with. Her moods ranged from the very serious to laughable humorous. I was in Miss Poole's Latin class with her as sophomores. My name is Herb so Emilyann Latinized my name and called me "Herbus". A nickname I cherish. Emily was very intelligent, scholarly, wise and a great leader. We were wise to elect her as our class president, a post in which she served with distinction for over 65 years. Thank you Emilyann--we are lost without you. We love you. Herb Martin, Class of '45

December 07, 2009
David, I was so sorry to read today about the passing of your mother. My thoughts are with you and your entire family. May you find comfort in your memories of her and of a life lived well.
Tracy Sinn, Evansville, Indiana

December 07, 2009 Diane I am so sorry for your loss. I know how hard it is to lose your Mother. You are in my thoughts & prayers and I am here for you if you need me.
God Bless, Mary Boring & Cafeteria Staff @ Plaza Park
Mary Boring, Evansville, Indiana

December 07, 2009
Dearest Diane and Family, We have you in our daily prayers, that you will be comforted during these days and weeks to come. Your mom/wife was such a strong, vibrant Christian woman who touched so many lives and is now peacefully smiling upon you.
Our love, Lori, Jim, Zach, and Matt Hupy, Knoxville, Tennessee

December 07, 2009 Diane and family, we are so saddened by your profound loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all for the difficult days ahead. Love, Les and Susan

December 07, 2009
My prayers and thoughts are with the family at this time, she was a dear servant of the Lord, community and friends.
Calvin C. Wilkins, Bosse Class of '52, Benton, Ky.

December 07, 2009
Fowlers, I am so very sorry for your loss. It was clear to us, even in the brief time we got to know your family, what a mighty spirit Emily bestowed to those around her. We will always remember sweet Emily and be humbled by the genuine adoration you all had for your mother and wife.
Deepest sympathy to you all, Jane, Jo & Nick, St Mary’s cath lab
Jane Diehl, Evansville, Indiana

December 07, 2009
To Diane and all your family; David and I are so sorry to hear about the loss of your mom. She was always so full of life and made you smile just by being near her.(Kind of like you) Please give your dad a hug for us and just know that we're here for you.
Debbie and David Emge, Wadesville, Indiana

December 07, 2009
Fowler's, shocked and sorry to read of Emily's passing. Being a boy from a small town at Bosse High School, I was always happy to see Emily's friendly face, smile, and greeting. She will be missed by all who knew her. Our deepest sympathy to y'all.
Bob and Wanda Ringham, Evansville, Indiana

December 07, 2009
Sarah & family, I will always remember your sweet mother walking down Blackford Ave past my house to see her granddaughters and also at the many ECS events...with a smile on her face and a pep in her step!! She will be missed but what a legacy! Praying for comfort & peace.
Laura Patterson, Salem, Oregon

December 07, 2009
Susan and Family, I only know of your mother through Becky, however she always spoke highly of her. I am very sorry for your loss and hope that happy memories of your time together will sustain you in this time of sadness.
Ed Rose, Carlsbad, California

December 07, 2009
So very sorry for your loss. I always enjoyed visiting with her and Nell while walking down Lombard.
Julia Lynch, Evansville, Indiana

December 07, 2009
Mr. Fowler, Cathy, Diane, Susan, Sarah and David, Bruce and I were deeply saddened by your loss. Your mother was such a good friend to Mom and Dad. Dad still talks about the trips the bridge club took to Memphis to see the museum exhibits. They commandeered 2 tables in the hotel lobby and played bridge until the wee hours of the night! Your family is so special to the Malaneys - you all were so open to us that first summer we lived in Evansville. We are praying for you all.
Peggy & Bruce Glaser,  Memphis, Tennessee

December 07, 2009
Mr. Fowler, Cathy and family, I'm so terribly sorry that you've lost your Emily/Mother. I know how difficult it is to lose someone so terribly important in your life. (I lost daddy in 1996 and mother in 2000.)
I remember when Cathy and I became friends in the 9th grade that your home was always such a wonderful place to visit. You were the ideal family. The younger sisters and brothers were all so cute. It was obvious there was sincere love and respect there on Lombard Ave. I know a huge part of this was due to Mrs. Fowler.
I remember going to church with you on Sundays. After church we would go by Grandmother's house (Mrs. Combs) and the love that Mrs. Fowler showed for her mother echoed through the Fowler children toward their grandmother.
You all have been truly blessed to have the love of this wonderful woman for so very many years. You know she is sitting, in heaven, with my mother and daddy and others, around a big round kitchen table, watching and laughing over us all.
Heaven is a little bit brighter now.
I love you all, Lee Ann (Bauman) Cash, Douglas, Georgia

December 07, 2009
Fowler Family, We were very saddened to learn about your loss. It will be very hard to think of Trinity without Emily. She was involved in all of the activities our children participated in and we will miss seeing her. Your family and the church family have suffered a great loss.
Karen & Rick Lawson & Family, Newburgh, Indiana

December 07, 2009
Diane, I'm so sorry to hear about your mother. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Stacey Miller

December 08, 2009
Diane, I am so very sorry. I don't have the right words, but please know that I am thinking about you and your family.
Brooke Hickrod,  Evansville, Indiana

December 08, 2009
Sarah and Family, So sorry for your loss but thanking God for a FULL life, that was well-lived. Wish I could be there with you. Love to you, Michelle Young, Germany

December 08, 2009
Jim, I knew Emily longer than anyone in the world except for my parents. I was born one day before she was (March 13 of 1927), and we attended the primary grade of Sunday School at Bayard Park Methodist Episcopal Church together. She leaves a void that can never be filled. My deepest sympathies and God's blessings, now and forever. --- Bill Greer, Melbourne, Florida

December 08, 2009
Diane and Susan, so sorry for your loss. I remember seeing your mom on the tennis court..so happy, fiesty and strong. David James Longest, Evansville, Indiana

December 08, 2009
Diane and family, Although no words can help to ease the loss you bear, please know that you are very close in my every thought and prayer. Emily was one of the kindest and most giving people I have ever known. She will be sorely missed.
Sheryl Schuster, Evansville, Indiana

December 08, 2009
Dear Fowler Family, Please accept my deepest sympathies. I graduated with Emily and was at the reunion in October. She surely will be missed.
Phyllis Vogt, Atlantic Beach, Florida

December 08, 2009
Dearest Fowler Family, Please know that your family will be in our daily prayers. Emily will be missed by so many people. She was a wonderful lady and the dearest of friends to my mother. May your faith in the Lord's promise of everlasting life bring you comfort in this time of sorrow.
Debbie and George Barth, Evansville, Indiana

December 08, 2009
Diane, and family, We are so sorry for your loss. We will keep this wonderful woman in our memories.
Ron and Gunny, Evansville

December 08, 2009
Dear Fowler Family, Ms. Emily was such a nice person and always spoke to me whenever she shopped at Schnucks.May the wonderful memories you have of her help you through this tough time.
Sincerely, Tina Szymanowski (Former Schnucks checker), Evansville, Indiana

December 08, 2009
Dear Susan and Dianne: Sorry we were not able to see you this evening, but the long lines attest to the love held for your mother. You are, and will be, in our thoughts and prayers.
Betty and Ray Newnum, Evansville, Indiana

December 08, 2009
What an incredible woman, with an incredible family! Diane being like a mother to me. Prayers & thoughts with all the family in this difficult time. Love, Jill & Allison Hendricks, Evansville, Indiana

December 08, 2009
Dear Fowler family, Words will not describe how much sorrow Nancy and I feel for your family. Growing up in the Emmerson home, Emily's name and friendship was always a topic of discussion with my mother Anna. I will always cherish the memories that my mother has shared with my sister and I about their Bosse "High School Days"......Emily will be missed but never forgotten!
You are all in our thoughts, Nancy & Jim Emmerson, Fort Wayne, In

December 08, 2009
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you. We are all thinking of you all and know how hard the coming days will be. Please know I am only a phone call away.
Leigh Ann and Anthony Casper, Evansville, Indiana

December 08, 2009
Diane and family, your mother was an inspiration to so many. She certainly made this world a better place. My heart and prayers are with you.
Jim and Cyndi Bickel, Newburgh, Indiana

December 09, 2009
Diane and family, I am so deeply sorry for your loss. It doesn't matter when you lose a parent is always difficult and heart breaking. I apologize for not being able to be there, but I know you are surrounded by many wonderful friends and family who love and support you.
Susy Hainsworth, Nashville, Tennessee

December 09, 2009
Diane & Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. My God lift you up during this difficult time. Kim Bredemeier, Evansville, Indiana

December 09, 2009
Cathy and Family, we are so sorry for your loss and pray that God will grant you his comfort and peace during this difficult time. Becky & Bob Skelton, Evansville, Indiana