Mary Eleanor (Steele) Bowlus passed away peacefully at the age of 97 on Thursday, July 20th, 2023, at Brookdale Senior Living Center of Mt. Vernon, Ohio. She was born June 29, 1926, in New Concord, Ohio to Harford and Mary Belle (Sharrock) Steele. She graduated from New Concord High School in 1943. She worked at the Bureau of Juvenile Records while attending Muskingum College. She graduated in 1946 and spent a year as a home missionary for the Methodist Church serving at Kingdom Settlement House in St. Louis, Missouri. She was married Aug.27, 1947 to Dr. Edward L. Bowlus who she met in the 6th grade and with whom she has celebrated 75 years of marriage. She worked at The Ohio State University while her husband attended Veterinary School. After moving to Fredericktown, she became a math teacher and later, a guidance counselor, with the Fredericktown Local School District. She retired in 1984 after 21 years of service. After retirement Eleanor got her real estate license and worked briefly for Burch Reality selling real estate. Eleanor was an avid reader, learner, and traveler. She and her husband traveled to numerous states including Alaska and Hawaii as well as many countries including England, Scottland, France, Austria, Switzerland, Greece, Egypt, Russia, and China. Eleanor was active in the former Fredericktown United Methodist Church now, Cornerstone Community Church serving in various positions and as a Sunday School Teacher. Eleanor had a heart for social justice. Eleanor quilted for over thirty years and gave away over five hundred quilts. She also loved to knit and made caps for new born babies. Even in her nineties, you could find her quilting socks for her family. She loved her family and enjoyed family get togethers and discussions around the dinner table. To quote her, "She loved her family and friends dearly-especially her 'Forever Friends'," a group of friends who met together for a meal then played cards. This group met for decades. She lived by John Wesley's motto "Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can."In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Edward L. ("Doc") Bowlus and her sister, Joan Elaine Buchanan. She is survived by sons, David (Michelle) Bowlus, John (Bonny) Bowlus, and daughter, Mary (Bill) Elder; Grandchildren, Scott Bowlus (Deb Chute), Scott (Julie) Holtje, Dawn (Mike) Jones, Jessica (Brian) Anderson, Liz (Joe) Hayford, Laura (Jamie) Sanders, and Tim (Heather) Elder; Great Grandchildren, Bailey, Lucy, Haley, Haden, Spencer, Ella Grace, Tatum, Brady, Kay, Rene, Josie, Elli, Levi, Ana, Aly, and Ian; and one sister, Janet May Smith.