Donald Bowlby

Donald Bowlby, age 93 years, of Raritan Township, NJ, died on Friday, June 29, 2012 in the Hunterdon Medical Center, Raritan Township, NJ.

Born in Somerville, NJ, April 28, 1919, son of the late Ralph and Ida May Petty Bowlby, he was a lifelong area resident. A graduate of Somerville High School, Don owned and operated the Bowlby Farm in Raritan Township, NJ.

A humble, yet very community orientated man, Don was very involved in various organizations. He was member of the Flemington Rotary Club, joining in 1966 and was honored with the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow Award in June of 1997. From 1945-1975 he was a Delegate for the Dairymen’s League (Dairylea); he was past Secretary and member of Darcy Lodge F. & A.M.; was a longtime member of the Flemington Presbyterian Church, Flemington, NJ; was Treasurer of Raritan Township, NJ from 1961-1991; was a founding member of the Raritan Township Fire Company; served as Store Committeeman for Agway for thirty-five years; served on the Executive Committee of the Hunterdon County Board of Agriculture; was a longtime member of the Hunterdon County Republican Club; was an honorary member of the Future Farmers of America; served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Somerset Savings and Loan from 1988-1992; served on the Raritan Township Board of Adjustment from 1991-1996; and was honored last year by being named to the Holcombe-Jimison Farmstead Farmers Honor Roll.

His cherished wife, Lillis Somerville Bowlby, died in 2001. He was also pre-deceased by his brother, Richard, in 2010, as well as a daughter-in-law, Susan, in 2008.

Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Jean and William Maksymovich of Raritan Township, NJ; four sons and daughters-in-law, Robert and Maria Bowlby of Raritan Township, NJ, Ralph and Cathy Bowlby of Kingwood Township, NJ, Ronald and Kathy Bowlby of Raritan Township, NJ and William and Mary Ellen Bowlby of Raritan Township, NJ; fifteen grandchildren; and nineteen great grandchildren.

Funeral Services will take place Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. in the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ. Interment will follow in Lower Valley Cemetery, Califon, NJ. Calling hours will be Monday from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the Funeral Home. Please visit www.holcombefisher.com for further information or to send condolences.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Rotary Club of Flemington, P.O. Box 751, Flemington, NJ 08822.