Doris V. (Franklin) Bowers Ainscough

Doris V. Bowers Ainscough, 96, of Plainville, Indiana, passed away with her loving family by her side. She was born on March 7, 1923 in Odon, Indiana to Earl and Margaret J. (Porter) Franklin. Doris was married to Allen Dwight Bowers from October 31, 1942 until his death in 1982 and Porter Wayne Ainscough from September 17, 1988 until his death in 2009. Doris then had a special companion, John Lease, until his passing in 2014.

Doris was a faithful member of the Plainville United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women’s Association and the Plainville Ladies Card Club. She had worked at First National Bank of Odon, Milwaukee Train, Ennis Poultry House in Washington and the Ordinance and Security Department at NSWC Crane. She retired from NSWC Crane as a cable fabricator in 1988.  

Doris loved everyone she came in contact with and cruising around town and countryside on her golf cart. After retirement, she enjoyed traveling all over the US (with her nephew, Smitty and his wife, Bev), taking cruises and river rafting. She enjoyed walking, fishing, playing euchre, dominoes, crosswords and search books, but most of all the time spent with her large family. Doris enjoyed them with her as often as expected and then some.

Family left to cherish the memory of Doris include: four daughters, Carlotta J. (Max) Wayman of Taylorville, IL, Connie Jean Alvey of Bedford, Carolyn G. (Rick) Vaughn of Plainville and Patricia A. (John) Chapman of Washington; step-son, Tommy Ainscough of Columbus; nephew, who was more of a son, David ‘Smitty’ (Bev)  Smith of Odon; fifteen grandchildren; forty-two great-grandchildren and twenty great-great-grandchildren.

Doris was preceded in death by: her parents; first husband, Allen Dwight Bowers; second husband, Porter Wayne Ainscough; special companion, John Lease; daughter, Diane S. Cleghorn; sons-in-law, David Cleghorn and H. Wayne Vaughn; granddaughter, Carrie Ann Vaughn; grandson, Richard Alan Hooover; step-great-grandson, Nathan Davis; sister, Waughneta (Earl) Smith; brothers, Porter (Thelma) Franklin, Orville ‘Busty’ (Joyce) Franklin, Robert Franklin, Jack (Joan) Franklin and John Franklin.

Funeral services honoring the life of Doris will be at 2:00 PM on Sunday, January 5, 2020 at Meng Family Funeral Home in Odon with Pastor Rex Thomas officiating. Doris will be laid to rest in Plainville Cemetery.

Family and friends may call from 3:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Saturday, January 4 and from 1:00 PM until the time of service at 2:00 PM on Sunday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Plainville United Methodist Church, the Alzheimer Association or a charity of your choice. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

All arrangements were entrusted to Meng Family Funeral Home in Odon.  Condolences and memories may be shared with the family online at www.mengfuneralhome.com.