Elisha Bowling Badger-A-109-1

Elisha Bowling, age 84, a native of Bowlingtown, a coal mining community in the hills of Eastern Kentucky and a resident of Edinburgh, Indiana, passed away on Sunday, April 14, 2024, at Willow Crossing Health and Rehabilitation in Columbus, Indiana. He was born on February 5, 1940, to the late Elbert Bowling and the late Mollie (Couch) Bowling.  Elisha was a beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Gospel and bluegrass singer and musician. He was a student at several elementary schools as his family traveled to different coal mining job opportunities, including one room schoolhouses, Blue Diamond Coal Camp School, and Perry County Elementary School. He graduated from Austin High School in 1960.Elisha loved his Country and joined the United States Air Force in 1961. He was stationed at Duluth Air Force Base in Duluth, Minnesota, where he met and courted his lovely JoAnn Falk and they were married at the Duluth AFB Chapel on August 1, 1964.Elisha and JoAnn moved back to Austin, Indiana, where he was hired and trained by Cummins Engine Company as a journeyman machine repairman, retiring in 2011 after 45 faithful years. They were thrilled to have their young family grow over the next four years with the addition of children Kevin, Amy, and Bryan. In 1974, after hearing the conversion testimony of a neighbor who attended Apostolic Tabernacle of Edinburgh, Elisha and JoAnn received a Bible study with Pastor Grover Myers and were subsequently baptized in Jesus’ Name and filled with the Gift of the Holy Ghost. They became devout members of the Apostolic church. Over the next 42 years, Elisha’s passion for Jesus Christ and sharing the Gospel grew into various roles at the church, including worship leader - a capacity in which he served with great energy and zeal for 42 years leading with powerful vocals - and assistant to the pastor - a capacity in which he served both Pastor Grover Myers and Pastor Mark Myers for 41 years. He was also the Teen Class Sunday School teacher for 20 years. Elisha was never happier than when witnessing to people about the life-changing power of the Gospel and sharing his personal conversion testimony. One didn’t have to spend much time with Elisha before he would also share his enthusiasm for his vast tool collections, firearms, bluegrass and 1950’s music.  His greatest passion was his love for people and how he could have a positive effect on them. He especially treasured being “Papaw” to his ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, who knew he would do anything for them that they asked. He is survived by his beloved wife of over 59 years, JoAnn Rosella (Falk) Bowling of Edinburgh, Indiana, one daughter, Amy Brock and her husband David of Bloomington, Indiana, two sons, Kevin Bowling and his wife Julia of Columbus, Indiana, Bryan Bowling and his wife Rhonda of Columbus, Indiana. Ten grandchildren, Breanna Shankman and her husband Daniel, Nathaniel Bowling, and his wife Krista, Cecilie Richer and her husband Nathaniel, Meghan Brock, Julia Bowling, Madeline Bowling, Meredith Christensen and her husband Chandler, Ethan Bowling and his wife Laurel, Sophia Bowling, Micah Bowling and honorary granddaughter, Ava Grace Woessner. Four great grandchildren, Verity, Chleo, Wesley and one on the way. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Johnnie, and Marshall Bowling. The family will receive friends on Saturday, April 20, 2024, from 11:00 AM until 2:00 PM at The Apostolic Tabernacle of Edinburgh in Edinburgh, Indiana. Funeral services will begin at 2:00 PM at the church with burial to follow at Rest Haven Cemetery. Pastor Mark Myers and Pastor Darren Burton will officiate. The family requests that memorial donations be directed to Apostolic Tabernacle of Edinburgh or Landmark Apostolic Bible Church. Friends are invited to leave condolence messages for the family at www.christensenfamilyfuneral.com.Daniel and Betsy Christensen have been entrusted with the arrangements.