Michelle Fowler

Michele Ann (Fowler) Maines, age 45, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away suddenly on April 7, 2009, following emergency surgery at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Fla.

She is survived by her daughter, Amanda Puett and husband Brian of Cortez, Colo.; two sons, Taylor Maines and Andrew Maines of Fort Walton Beach; their father, Kenneth Maines of Fort Walton Beach; one granddaughter, Mikayla Jo Puett of Cortez; Michele’s parents, Don and Pat Fowler of Centennial, Colo.; her sister, Lisa Fowler and sons of Shalimar, Fla.; her brother, Kevin Fowler and family of Austin, Texas; her sister, Stephanie Price and family of Edmond, Okla.; plus nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and many cousins. She is also survived by two grandmothers, Mrs. O’Rena Puetz-Panesi of Centennial, Colo., and Mrs. Darlene Busher of Loveland, Colo. She leaves behind a host of close friends whom she considered her extended family. Her spirit of life and love made her a precious and significant part of many lives and she will truly be missed.

She was born in Denver on April 25, 1963, and lived in several states and England while her father served in the U.S. Air Force. After graduation from Choctawhatchee High School in 1981, she remained in Fort Walton Beach the rest of her life except for a brief residence in Denver. She was more than a valued employee at United Lighting of Fort Walton Beach for the past 15 years; she was a member of this extended family as well.

Among the many aspects of life that Michele enjoyed were her kids, the sun and sand of the Emerald Coast, learning and dreaming of Italy, reading, cooking, caring for her beloved beagle and Frosty the Snowman. But primarily she put her heart and soul into her children’s lives and ultimately was their very best friend. Michele’s dreams for the future of her children were boundless.

Please help the family celebrate the beautiful life of Michele by joining us for a casual visitation at Davis-Watkins Funeral Home on Sunday, April 12, from 4 to 6 p.m. This is located at 8 Racetrack Road in Fort Walton Beach, where complimentary valet parking will be provided.

Funeral services will then be held at Shalimar United Methodist Church, Monday, April 13, beginning at 11 a.m., followed by private internment.

A memorial fund has been established to support the dreams Michele had for her children. In lieu of flowers, contributions to this memorial fund should be made to Eglin Federal Credit Union, with memo to Michele Maines Memorial Fund, and sent to 95 Fifth St., Shalimar, FL 32579.