Aug. 25, 1944 — May 19, 2016

Patricia M. Murphy McGowen, 71, of Niles, Michigan died at 5:43 p.m. on Thursday, May 19, 2016, at the Hospice House in Roseland, Indiana following a brief illness.

She was born on Aug. 25, 1944, in Kansas City, Kansas to Charles L. and Mary E. (Wood) Murphy. She was graduated from South Bend Clay High School, and from the Vogue Beauty College, and has lived in this area most of her life. She was employed for twenty years in student transportation at Niles Community Schools and Brandywine Community Schools.

Patti raised, trained, and showed German Shepherds, and owned and operated the Kal Kan Kennels. She enjoyed jewelry, and had developed an expertise in identifying various gems, and the quality of each stone.

On Oct. 16, 1964, in Mishawaka, Indiana she married Melburn E. “Gene” McGowen with whom she celebrated last year the 51st anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes her husband, Gene McGowen and their sons, Jeffery S. McGowen and Brett E. (Pam Anderson) McGowen, both of Niles; grandchildren Nicole (Mark) Danapilis, Lacey (Bryant) Bailey, Seth McGowen, Chaz McGowen, Caleb McGowen, and Lance McGowen; great-grandchildren Madison, Ryley, Abigail, Brooklyn, Emerlin, Irelynn, Sophia, and Eleanor; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and by a brother, Gerald E. “Murph” Murphy on February 21, 2008.

The funeral service for Patricia McGowen will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 25, 2016, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with retired minister Jack VanArsdall of Niles officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday at the funeral home from 6 until 8 p.m. Contributions in memory of Patti may be made to The Center for Hospice Care, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, Indiana 46637.

www.halbritterfunerals.com