Mrs. Dorene L. (McClearly) Bowser, 71, of Waynesboro, PA passed away Monday morning, March 2, 2026, in the Waynesboro Hospital.
Born June 28, 1954 in Hagerstown, MD, she was the daughter of the late Charles E. McCleary, Jr. and Rebecca Jane (Zinkand) McCleary.
Dorene attended Waynesboro Area Senior High School.
She and her husband, the late Byron Richard “Rick” Bowser, were married on June 16, 1972. Rick died on January 12, 2022.
Dorene worked in admissions for the various Air Force Hospitals while her husband was on active duty. She later worked in the dietary department at the Waynesboro Hospital.
She was a member of St. Andrew Catholic Church and enjoyed Civil War reenacting, sharing funny stories, cooking at home, beach trips with her mother and sisters and spending time with her grandchildren.
She is survived by three sons, Jason E. Bowser of Charles Town, WV, Joseph M. Bowser of Waynesboro and Charles E. Bowser of Waynesboro; several grandchildren; two sisters, Mary Jane Hess of Waynesboro and Susan A. Wilders of Mont Alto, PA; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by one son, Barry R. Bowser; one infant granddaughter, Makenzie L. Bowser; one sister, Beverly S. Haugh; and one nephew, Andrew Haugh.
Services and burial in St. Andrew Cemetery, Waynesboro, PA will be private at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: St. Andrew Catholic Church, 12 N. Broad St., Waynesboro, PA 17268 or The Antietam Humane Society, 8513 Lyons Road, Waynesboro, PA 17268.
Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home, Waynesboro, PA is handling the arrangements.
