James Bowersox
Mr. James A. “Jim” Bowersox, 76, of Waynesboro, PA passed away Friday morning, June 20, 2025, in the Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, following a brief illness and surrounded by his family.
Born January 5, 1949 in Bellefonte, PA, he was the son of the late Paul A. and Talma M. (Weber) Bowersox. He lived his early life in Coburn, PA.
Jim graduated from Penns Valley Senior High School with the Class of 1968. He later graduated from Millersville State Teacher’s College (Millersville University) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1972 and from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in 1975.
He and his wife of over 48 years, Barbara A. (Zimmerman) Bowersox, were married on January 29, 1977. They lived in Lewistown, PA prior to moving to Waynesboro in 1985.
Jim taught school for two years, where he met Barbara. After getting his license to practice funeral directing, he began his career at Heller’s Funeral Home, Lewistown, PA. In 1985, he started working at Grove Funeral Home in Waynesboro. He and his wife purchased the business in 1990, later changing the name to Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home. Over the years they also purchased what would become Miller-Bowersox Funeral Home in Greencastle, PA and added Bowersox Memorials to the business. He retired and sold the business to his son and daughter-in-law, Jeremy and Andrea, in December 2010; however, he continued to stay active in the business for the remainder of his life.
He was currently attending Five Forks Church, Waynesboro, and was a long time and active member of Faith United Methodist Church, Waynesboro, where he held many leadership positions. Jim was a member of numerous local organizations, including Acacia Lodge #586, Zembo Shrine, Franklin County Shrine Club, Scottish Rite Valley of Williamsport Consistory, and the Waynesboro Fish and Game. He also served as Campaign Chairman for the Franklin County United Way and was a former member and past president of the Waynesboro Lions Club.
Jim loved spending time tending to his property and animals. He also enjoyed family trips, attending his grandchildren’s events, and evenings around his fire pit.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by four children, Scott K. Purnell and his wife, Terry of Ellicott City, MD; James S. Holdermann and his wife, Heather of Medford, OR; Jeremy A. Bowersox and his wife, Andrea of Waynesboro; and Wendy A. Bowersox of Spotsylvania, VA; seven grandchildren, Emily, Jack, Hunter, Sydney, Bhrett, Zoe and Maci; one brother, Robert D. Bowersox of Aaronsburg, PA; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by six sisters, Annabelle Bowersox, Freda Tate, Marion “Mert” Guisewhite, Connie Horner, Nancy Martz and Betty Wolfe; and one brother, William Bowersox.
Services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Sunday, June 29, 2025 in Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home, 50 S. Broad St., Waynesboro with Pastor Ray Kipe officiating. Burial will be private in Green Hill Cemetery, Waynesboro.
The family will receive friends from 3:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M., Saturday, in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Five Forks Brethren in Christ Church, 9244 Five Forks Road, Waynesboro, PA 17268 or Acacia Lodge #586, 33 W. Main St., Waynesboro, PA 17268.