Grace L Bovard

Grace Leone Bovard (nee Garmong) age 89, passed away peacefully on May 18, 2015 at Wittenburg Lutheran Village. Grace was born on January 15, 1926 in Morocco, IN to Porter and Alma Gramong. She graduated from Morocco High School as Valedictorian, class of 1944 and went on to study education at Indiana University in Bloomington, where she received her Bachelor of Science (1948) and her MBA 1954). Grace started teaching at Merrillville High School in 1948, where she met the love of her life, James Bovard. Grace taught Business Education at Merrillville for 40 years. She served as Business Department Chairperson, and sponsor for the Sunshine Club (she was even known as “Mrs. Sunshine). She was a long time and active member of Delta Kappa Gamma (honorary sorority of women educators). Throughout her years of teaching, Grace treated her students with respect and friendship, but always expected excellence from them in the classroom. She was beloved by those students during her years at Merrillville and after her retirement. Even with her many professional commitments, Grace always made time for her husband and family, as they were the focus of her life. In all aspects of her life, Grace’s Christian faith was her guiding principal. Grace was preceded in death by her parents, her in-laws, Vinson and Ethel Bovard, three brothers-John, Richard, and Charles Garmong, her sisters-in-law- Maxine and Pauline Garmong and Nancy (Bovard) Newman, three nephews-Jay, Don and Robert Garmong. Grace is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, James Bovard, brother-in-law Wayne Newman, special niece Janice (Lee) Shirer, nieces Kathryn (Gary) Seibert, Carol (Bill) Fouty, Janet (Rob) Canary, Emma Jo Everly, Nancy Garmong and Yolanda Garmong, nephew-Rick(Gloria) Garmong, and special great-nephew Troy (Mari) Shirer, along with numerous other nieces and nephews. Grace is also survived by hundreds of former students who consider more than just a teacher. Whether Grace was teaching a class, playing piano in a band with her brothers, caring for family, hosting a 4th of July party or traveling the country she loved, she did it with gusto and a genuine love for life. Friends may visity with the family on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at Burns Funeral Home, 10101 Broadway, Crown Point, IN. Funeral service Wednesday at Burns, Crown Point at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates donations to Wittenberg Lutheran Village or the Alzheimer’s Research Center. www.burnsfuneral.com

Grace L Bovard

January 15, 1926 - May 18, 2015