Velma Jane Bowser, 96, a longtime former Worthington resident, died Saturday at the Golden Living Center, Erie.

Born Aug. 14, 1913, in Worthington, she was the daughter of Matthew Millen and Jessie (Beckett) Millen.

She was a homemaker and enjoyed playing bingo and crocheting.

Mrs. Bowser was a member of the Franklin Union Baptist Church, where she had been a Sunday school teacher.

Surviving are a son, James R. Bowser and his companion, Amy Mathieson, of Worthington; a son, Daniel M. Bowser and his wife, Darlene, of Gastonia, N.C.; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph V. Bowser; a brother, Walter Millen and a sister, Marybell Baker.

<B>BOWSER</B> — Friends of Velma Jane Bowser, who died Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the <B>F. Duane Snyder Funeral Home</B>, Worthington. Services, with the Rev. Jonathan Speck officiating, will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Additional visitation will be held for one hour before the service. Interment will be at the Franklin Union Baptist Church Cemetery.For more information or to send an online condolence, visit www.snydercrissman.com.