It is with great sadness that we convey the passing of Deborah Lynn (Merkel) Bowman of Bradenton, Florida, on January 2, 2025, at the age of 72. Deborah, or Debby, as she was known by family and friends will be remembered for her kindness and unwavering determination, and love and support for her family, friends, and fur babies.
Debby was born June 13, 1952, in Oshkosh, WI, the eldest child of Robert and Bernice (Spanbauer) Merkel. Due to her father’s Army career, Debby lived in various cities across the U.S. growing up, but spent most of her adult life in St. Louis, MO before moving to Bradenton, FL in her later years.
Debby was instrumental in moving her mother to Florida, and in her mother’s remaining years, served as her primary caregiver until her passing in April 2024. She took great pride and ownership in this responsibility as she was focused on providing the best care she knew how.
Debby was a lifelong fan of the Green Bay Packers and the St. Louis Cardinals. She was also a proud retiree of the Bell Telephone company, and a great lover of cooking, sewing, world travel, and reading romance novels. She was a lifetime learner and excelled in running a small custom blinds business after retiring in the early 2000s.
Debby is survived by Jeffrey Bowman, her husband of 22 years; her siblings Denise (Denny) Surkamp, Darrell (Lisa) Merkel, Dawn (partner Gino Vitale) Merkel; sister-in-law, Diana Merkel; and numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved greatly and enjoyed watching grow into adulthood and start families of their own. She was preceded in death by her mother and father and her brother Dale (Diana) Merkel.
If you wish to make a memorial donation in Debby’s honor, please consider a donation to the Veterans of Foreign Wars or your local Humane Society.