Mrs. Bessie Louise Bowen Eyler, 98, of Prince Frederick, MD died Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, MD; the last surviving member of her immediate family.

Mrs. Eyler was born June 25, 1916 in Barstow, MD. She was a daughter of Maurice Isaac and Frances P. Denton Bowen. The family moved to the farm on Hunting Creek when Bessie was six months old. Raised on a tobacco farm she learned the value of hard work and perseverance.

In 1937, she married the love of her life, Ralph Graham Eyler, Sr. of Johnsville, MD. That same year she completed training as a licensed practical nurse at Springfield Hospital in Sykesville, MD. In 1944 they returned to Calvert County and built their home on Hunting Creek. In 1993 she was preceded in death by her "sweetheart", Ralph.

Mrs. Eyler was a 62 year member of the Marlboro No. 61 Order of the Eastern Star. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Prince Frederick, MD and was first a member of Wesley United Methodist Church. She spent many years working at the Calvert County Fair in the Homemaker's building. She loved everything about life on the farm including everything to do with raising tobacco and some of her best memories and stories came from the stripping room. She loved gardening, canning, crocheting was an avid reader and in later years loved to watch the birds, rabbits and the occasional deer and flock of turkeys outside of her dining room window.

She is survived by a son Ralph G Eyler, Jr. (Judy) of Salida, CO, a daughter Carol Ann Cartwright (Michael) of Union Bridge, MD, granddaughter, Catherine Eyler Moir of Prince Frederick, MD, grandson Kenneth B Eyler (Maria) also of Prince Frederick, granddaughter Rebecca Cartwright-McGonigle (James) of Russell Springs, KY, granddaughter Tracey Eyler Banks (Scot) of Salida, CO, granddaughter-in-law Marissa Cartwright of Hampsted, NC, great-granddaughters Samantha Moir and Olivia Eyler and great-grandsons Luke Moir and Anthony Eyler and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by siblings Carrie B. Wood, James V. Bowen, Ethel B. Hatfield, Frances B. Schneider, Maurice I. Bowen, Jr., Ellen B. Hance, Gertrude B. Hatfield and Carolyn B. Hall and her grandson SSgt Charles I. Cartwright.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, October 21, 2014 from 2pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm at Rausch Funeral Home in Port Republic. Funeral services will be held on October 22, 2014 at 11am at Trinity United Methodist Church in Prince Frederick. Interment will be in Wesley Cemetery in Prince Frederick immediately following the service. Arrangements provided by Rausch Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to:
SSgt Charles I. Cartwright, USMC Memorial Scholarship
The Community Foundation of Frederick County
312 East Church St.
Frederick, MD 21701