White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Rowley- Melba M. Bearbower, 80 years old, of rural Rowley, Iowa, died on January 26, 2013, at her home.  She was born on March 14, 1932, in Fayette County, Iowa, the daughter of Herman Frederick and Florence Wilhelmina (Meiners) Buchholz.  She attended country schools and high school in Oelwein, Iowa.  On December 30, 1953, she and William John Bearbower were married at the Methodist Church in Iowa City, Iowa.  He preceded her in death in 2011.  Mrs. Bearbower cared for her family and helped on their farm near Brandon, Iowa.  She was an active member of the United Methodist Church in Brandon.  She enjoyed playing cards with friends, quilting, embroidery, and working in her garden.  She also cared for the cats around the farmstead.

Mrs. Bearbower is survived by 1 son, Donald (Sue) Bearbower of Jesup, Iowa, 2 grandchildren, 2 brothers, Merlin (Thelma) Buchholz of Sumner, Iowa, and Marvin (Vonna) Buchholz of Beloit, Wisconsin, and 1 sister, Hazel Hamblin of Jesup, Iowa.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, 1 daughter, Sandra Bearbower, 1 son, Ronald Bearbower, and 1 sister.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 31, 2013, at the White Funeral Home in Independence, Iowa, with Rev. Lanette Van officiating.  Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence.  Friends may call for visitation from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 30^th, at the White Funeral Home in Independence.