Ms. Ila Elaine Bower

She was born in Decatur, Illinois on June 9, 1925, to Floyd and Rhea Smith.

Ila met Thomas C. Bower in high school, and they married on September 18, 1943, before he went to Europe.Ila worked for many years at the local Decatur newspaper in the Research Department.

They moved from Decatur to Orlando, Florida in 1963 when Thomas transferred through AT&T.

She retired from the Orlando Sears, Roebuck after 20 years in the office.

Ila will be remembered for her ability to get things done, and dedication to her family.

She enjoyed working in the garden, but her real interests included tennis, water skiing, and world travel. Ila traveled around the world including Peru’s Machu Picchu, hot air balloon over the Egyptian pyramids, Bali, Europe, Brazil, Norway and places in between.

Ila is survived by a son, nephews, nieces, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her parents, husband, sister, brother and a son.

Thank you to the staff at Cascade Heights for their exceptional care and kindness to Ila these past two years.

A Gathering of Family and Friends for Ila will be held Friday, March 21, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM at Baldwin Fairchild East Altamonte Funeral Home, 994 E Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701. Following the Gathering of Family and Friends will be a Graveside Service from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Glen Haven Memorial Park, 2300 Temple Dr, Winter Park, FL 32789.