Jacob E. Bowers, 77, 616 East High Street, Portland, Ind., died Sept. 12, 2007, at Ball Memorial Hospital, Muncie, Ind., following a brief illness.

He was born July 31, 1930, in Columbus, Neb., to William J. and Alta Behlings Bowers. In 1951, he married Gloria D. Johnson, who died in 1963. He then married Sue Darby on Sept. 1, 1979, and she survives in Portland.

Also surviving are a son, Terry A. (Lisa), Wakefield, Kan.; five stepdaughters, Becky Lynn (David) Smith, Centerville, Ind., Kim VanSkyock, Kokoma, Ind., Lonna VanSkyock, Muncie, Monna VanSkyock, Yorktown, Ind., and Becky (Rick) Wellman, Portland; a sister, Elise Wolcott, Placenti a, Calif.; nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

He served with the U.S. Air Force for 20 years, retiring as a master sergeant in 1967. He then worked in the X-ray departments at Reid Memorial Hospital, Richmond, Ind., and Jay County Hospital, Portland, and then worked two years at Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, St. Marys. He was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church, Portland, Jay County Historical Society, The Codington County Historical Society, Watertown, S.D., Friends of the Limberlost, U.S. Air Force Sergeant's Association and American Legion Post 211, Portland.

Services are 11 a.m. Saturday at Williamson & Spencer Funeral Home, Portland, the Rev. Greg Reittenhouse officiating. Burial is at Green Park Cemetery, Portland. Graveside military rites will be conducted by the American Legion.

Calling is 4-8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Contributions can be made to Jay County Chapter of the Red Cross or Jay County Heart Foundation.

Condolences can be made to www.williamsonspencer.com.