Opal Fern Bowman Opal F. Bowman, 103, a resident of the Delphi community since 1920, passed away August 29, 2018 at her home in Delphi. Opal was born on Aug. 8, 1915 to the late Albert William and Lida Rebecca (Simon) Smith in Hardy County, West Virginia. She moved, along with her family, to Indiana when she was 5 years old. She was a 1933 graduate of Delphi High School and 1934 graduate of the International Business College in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Opal married John Ira Bowman on August 8, 1947 in Yeoman, Indiana and he preceded her in death on Nov. 5, 1995.

She was appointed in 1935 to the Social Security Board to initialize social security for the United States. Opal had worked as a bookkeeper and purchasing agent for Delphi Body Works from 1941-1959. She was Branch Manager and Consultant for Hometown Federal from 1960-1977 and served as a member of the Board of Directors there from 1978-1987.

She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary #75 and had served as secretary and president; a former member of the Order of the Eastern Star #36 – Rose Chapter; and was a member of the Delphi United Methodist Church.

Opal traveled to Mexico and Canada and 49 of the 50 states, missing only Hawaii. Her travels included 27 winters in Englewood, Florida, 27 summers on Lake Vermillion in Minnesota fishing, two 310 mile rafting trips through the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River, a horse pack trip through the Colorado mountains and a week-long houseboat adventure. Opal enjoyed being with people, reading, working on her computer and antiquing.

She is survived by her son, J.D. Bowman (Cindy) of Martinsville, grandchildren: Tracey Anne Martin of Indianapolis, Andrew Bowman and Jacob Bowman both of Martinsville; niece and nephews: Susan Vogel, Jeff Smith and Bruce Goslee; great nieces and nephew: Katie, Kim, Kylie, Hannah, Lydia, Aimee and Aaron.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Carol Ann Martin and brother, Garnie Smith.

Viewing will be from noon until the 2:00 p.m. with funeral service immediately following at Davidson Funeral Home, Delphi, on Sat., Sept. 1, 2018. Pastor Todd Ladd officiating. Burial will follow in Yeoman Cemetery, Yeoman.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.