Hilda M Bowman

PEKIN ~ Hilda Marie Bowman, 93, of Pekin, passed away at 3:34 p.m. Sunday, September 13, 2009 at Pekin Manor.Born July 20, 1916 in Green Valley to Fredrick and Anna (Heilman) Weyhrich, she married James R. Bowman on August 21, 1942 in Green Valley.Surviving are two daughters, Thelma F. (Rick) Morris of South Pekin and Nancy J. (Gene) Berardi of Pekin; one step-daughter, Ruth (Owen) Grunden of Indiana; eight grandchildren; one step-grandchild and ten great-grandchildren.Hilda was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Kathy A. Bush in 2000; one son, Roger F. Bowman; one step-daughter, Dorothy Dunn; one step-grandson; two brothers, Arthur Weyhrich and Nelson Weyhrich and one sister, Florence Maseman.Hilda worked at the Holiday Inn in Pekin in the housekeeping department from 1968 to 1987. She previously worked for the American Distilling Company during World War II and helped with the war effort by making bombs at the ABC Plant in East Peoria. She was a member of the Rosie the Riveter organization.She was a member of St. John's (Sand Prairie) Lutheran Church in rural Green Valley.She loved quilting, embroidering, playing bingo and spending time with her family.Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, September 17, 2009at St. John's (Sand Prairie) Lutheran Church in rural Green Valley. The Rev. Thomas R. Wenndt and DCE William Krueger will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, September 16, 2009at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel, and also from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Thursday at the church. Private burial will be in Sand Prairie Cemetery in rural Green Valley.The family suggests memorial contributions be made to her church, 13443 Townline Road, Green Valley, IL 61534 or to Good Shepherd Lutheran School, 333 State Street, Pekin, IL 61554.