Stephen Bowman

Stephen Gale Bowman was born in Pigeon, Michigan on September 19, 1949 and passed away on October 11, 2008. He will live forever in our memories and hearts.

Stephen Gale Bowman, 59, of Peoria, Illinois, passed away at 11:42 p.m. on Saturday, October 11, 2008, at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, Illinois.

Stephen was born on September 19, 1949 in Pigeon, Michigan, a son of Henry P. and Nellie Ruth (Demming) Bowman. They preceded him in death. He married Leslie L. Mower on June 11, 1977 in Lima, Ohio. She survives.

He is also survived by his daughters, Dina M. (Walt) Deeb of Elyria, Ohio, Amy J. (Mark) Benney of Lima and Andrea L. Bowman of Peoria; son, Stephen Aron (Dawn) Bowman of Peoria; grandchildren, Brittany, Carmelle, Jackson, Victoria, Mackenzie, Noah, McKenna and Jonah; great grandchildren, Miles and James; sisters, Eva, Inez, Grace, Ruth, and Julia; brothers, Neil, Wayne and Bruce; and his devoted companion and shadow, Bailey.

Stephen was a U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran, serving from May 11, 1969 to May 11, 1972. He attained the rank of Sergeant.

After his honorable discharge from the Army, he began his career with Monroe Systems for Business in Lima. He was transferred to Peoria in 1979 and spent the last fourteen years as a service manager for American Business Systems in Peoria.

Stephen was a former member of Zion Lutheran Church in Peoria and a current member and past Council President of Bethel Lutheran Church in Bartonville, Illinois. He was also a past-president and former member, for over twenty-five years, of the Bartonville Lions Club.

He enjoyed listening to Bluegrass music, cheering for the Chicago Cubs, building model trains, camping, fishing and playing with his grandchildren. There is nowhere else he would rather be than at the campground with his grandchildren.

Stephen overcame great adversity early in his life. He was a great father and grandfather and was a fantastic husband. He was everyone’s friend and was always willing to help anyone…and he could fix anything. He will be remembered as a volunteer and a hardworking family man.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 17, 2008, at Bethel Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Dr. Philip D. Lund officiating. Visitation will be from 5:30 to 8:30 on Thursday, October 16, 2008, at Clary Funeral Home in Peoria and one hour prior to services at the church on Friday.

Interment will be at Lutheran Cemetery in Peoria, with military honors provided by the U.S. Army.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society or Bethel Lutheran Church.