John H. Bowman

John H. Bowman, 93, of Marion, formerly of the Spillertown and Olive Branch area, passed away peacefully at 1:50 pm on Thursday, July 23, 2015 at the Community Living Center at the VA Hospital. He was born August 6, 1921 in Spillertown to Ed and Myrtle (Lance) Bowman. John joined the Army in September 1942. He was with the 94th General Hospital out of Temple, Texas. He drove an ambulance during blackout conditions in England. He also was the Colonel’s driver. He told of taking the Colonel to Queen Mary’s summer castle for a meeting. While the Colonel and the Queen had their meeting, he played ball with Princess Margaret and Princess Elizabeth, now Queen of England. While in England he met the love of his life, Muriel Allen in Wooten Under Edge. They were married on June 2, 1945 in the Church of England. They shared 58 years together before her death on June 7, 2003. John’s working career was mostly in the coal mines. He worked at a coal mine in Spillertown. He also worked at Barbara Kay Coal. He retired from Eagle II in Shawneetown. He loved to fish, especially at Horseshoe Lake. He also enjoyed his garden. He looked forward every year to the Veteran’s On Parade. John was a big tease and he teased everyone he knew. He was a past Mayor of Spillertown and helped with the Community Center. John was a member of VFW Post 1301, American Legion Post 147 and United Mine Workers of America. He is survived by his daughter, Karen (John) Robinson of Marion; his son, Allen Bowman of Olive Branch; grandchildren, Michael Walrack of Marion, Bryan (Jenny) Bowman of New Jersey, Joshua Bowman of Cambria, Taylor Bowman of Benton, Angela Robinson of Kansas City, John (Lindsay) Robinson of Marion; great-grandchildren, Alex Walrack and Alyssa Walrack of Marion, Forrest, Westin and Ryder Bowman of New Jersey, Madalynn Robinson of Marion; many nieces, nephews and cousins; good friends, David Phillips of Marion and Herman Ray of Olive Branch. He will be missed by all who loved him. John was preceded in death by his wife; parents; sister, Aline Bringleson; brother and sister in-law, Fred and Roz Allen of England; sister and brother in-law, Joyce and Hubert Britkopf of Ireland; brother in-law, Pat Goulding of England. Arrangements for John H. Bowman have been entrusted to Crain Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 10:30am to 11:30am, Monday, July 27, 2015 at the Crain Funeral Home Egyptian Chapel. Following the time of visitation the funeral service will be at 11:30am with Rev. Kevin McNeely officiating. The Ritual Team of VFW Post 1301 and American Legion Post 147 will do the military salute before entombment in the Veteran’s Mausoleum at Egyptian Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested for Veteran’s on Parade, P.O. Box 344, Marion, IL 62959. The family would like to thank John’s home caregivers- Natalie, Becky, Heather, Kristi and Jeannine. They would also like to thank the VA’s Community Living Center staff for the wonderful care he received. He was always treated with compassion and respect. To leave online condolences visit www.crainsonline.com

John H. Bowman

August 6, 1921 - July 23, 2015