WEST CARTHAGE- Ralph E. Bowman, 89, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 4, 2025, at the Summit Samaritan Senior Village. He was born on November 9, 1935, in Watertown, NY to the late Leslie E. & Ruth M. (Favret) Bowman. Ralph graduated from Carthage High School; he then went on to business school. He proudly served in the United States Navy from 1954-1958.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at 11:00am at St. James Catholic Church in Carthage with the Rev. Donald Robinson, officiating.  The burial will follow with Military Honors in Sunnyside Cemetery, Naumburg.

He was married to Shirley Ann Bruno on May 16, 1959, in Morrisonville, NY. They owned and operated Bowman's Market in Great Bend from 1972 until their retirement in 1990, he also enjoyed listing properties in real estate.

Ralph was a cherished member of the American Legion Bassett-Baxter Post # 789 in Carthage and the St. James Catholic Church. Ralph's home in West Carthage was always easily recognizable. He crafted and proudly displayed various signs for everyone to see. You could often find him relaxing and waving to others from the porch. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his daughter: Deborah Benna of Bradenton, FL; a sister, Marie Lofink, West Carthage.

He is predeceased by his parents, his wife, Shirley Ann Bowman, his siblings, Helen Lawton, Roswell Bowman, and Wayne Bowman.

Arrangements are in the care of the Bezanilla-McGraw Funeral Home, Carthage. To leave a condolence, go to www.bezanillafh.com.