Eugene O. Bowker Jr.

Peoria- Eugene O. Bowker, Jr., age 84, of Peoria, passed away Friday March 21, 2014 at Cornerstone Rehab and Healthcare in Peoria. Born Nov. 19, 1929 in Peoria, he was a son to the late Gene and Louise Nightingale-Bowker. He graduated Manual High School with the class of 1948, and afterwards Gene honorably served in the U.S. Army where he fought in the Korean Conflict, in which he was awarded a Purple Heart. He married Garneida Look, and later, on May 29, 1975 he married Sarah Gregg in Pekin. Gene worked for the United States Postal Service as a mail carrier until his retirement after 40 years on Mar. 3, 1988. He was later manager of Town & Country Bowl, and also worked as a driver for Uftring Auto Dealership. Gene was a member of Our Saviors Chapel, and was considered a master rose grower. He was a member of the Greater Peoria Bowling Assoc., where he was inducted into the Bowlers Hall of Fame. Gene was also an IBA Board Member, a member of Branch 31 Postal Union, a life member of the National Assoc. of Federal Workers (NARF), and a life member of DAV & American Legion. He is survived by his wife Sarah Bowker; one daughter Sandra (Brian) Young of Peoria; two step-sons: Eugene (Joy) N. Jordan of Bayfield, WI and Stanley (Teresa) Jordan of East Peoria; two sisters: Gloria ( the late Don) Callahan of Dunlap and Marilyn ( the late Duane) Quinn of Lithia, FL; five grandchildren: Khrystyne Zapushek, Peter Jordan, Paul Jordan, Jason Jordan and Matthew Jordan; four great-grandchildren, as well as, several nieces and nephews. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, one son David, and one grandson Jimmy. Visitation will be held on Tuesday March 25, 2014 from 4:00 PM until time of Funeral Service 6:00 PM at Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel, 2021 North University, in Peoria. Pastor Christopher Roland will officiate. A private burial will take place in Parkview Cemetery. Memorials may be made in Gene’s memory to the Peoria Big Brother & Big Sisters Bowling Program or the American Legion Post 2, for The Wounded Warriors Project. Funeral arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel, www.Davison-Fulton.com