Service:
A private ceremony will be held for immediate family
at a later date.
Funeral home:
Peasley Funeral Home, Lincoln
Obituary
Jerry E. Bowns, 75, of Lincoln,
passed away on February 14, 2023, at St. John’s
Hospital in Springfield.
A private ceremony will be held for immediate family
at a later date.
Jerry was born in Lincoln on June 28, 1947, the
eldest of four sons born to Wayne Franklin Bowns and
Bertie Lou Downing.
He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Cince Busby
Bowns, sons Nathan and Andrew, and daughter Aubrey.
Also surviving are his mother, Bertie Lou and two
brothers, Don and Paul. Jerry has four
grandchildren: Elizabeth, Wayne, Katie, and Liam.
Jerry was preceded in death by his father, Wayne,
and his younger brother Steve.
Jerry attended Atlanta High School and graduated in
1965. He was active in FFA all four years of high
school and served as Reporter and Vice President. He
was the class President of his Freshman class. Jerry
participated in track, basketball, and baseball.
Baseball was his favorite, and he was an amazing
pitcher. He was also a member of the A-Club all 4
years of high school.
In 1965, Jerry enlisted in the US
Navy. He served five years in the Navy and completed
four tours in Viet Nam aboard the USS Stoddard as a
radarman. He was discharged in 1970. |
Jerry’s occupation was an
over-the-road trucker. He loved the freedom of the
open road working for Garland Gehrke Trucking.
Jerry loved to camp, fish, hunt, watch John Wayne
movies, and was an avid reader. His love of reading
was passed on to some of his children and
grandchildren. Jerry is missed, especially by his
grandchildren, all of whom at one time or another
lived with him.
Memorials may be made to Central Illinois Veteran’s
Commission.
Peasley Funeral Home of Lincoln is assisting the
family with arrangements.
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