Robert Eugene McGowan

IN MEMORY OF: ROBERT EUGENE McGOWAN Serving Location: CRAIN PLEASANT GROVE-MURDALE FUNERAL HOME 31 Memorial Drive, Murphysboro, Illinois Bobby Gene McGowan, age 94 of Murphysboro entered his eternal home on Monday, August 12, 2024. He was born in Princeton, Kentucky to Robert and Anna (Stewart) McGowan on May 15, 1930. He attended high school in Christopher, Illinois before joining the Army. While stationed at Fort Campbell he met a buddy who introduced him to his sister. She later became Bobby’s wife. Bobby accepted Christ as his Savior at a young age and had a life-long passion for Bible study and evangelism. He loved gospel music and sang tenor with the Daniels Brothers Trio for many years at revivals and homecomings. He taught himself to play the keyboard, guitar and harmonica although he never learned to read music. He married Lillie Susan (Baker) McGowan on September 16, 1950 in Barwick, Kentucky, she preceded him in death on July 27, 2022. They worked together to raise a family who shared their values of hard work, generosity and honesty. Bobby led a quiet life of hard work, faithful church attendance and going fishing once in a while. After retiring from 45 years of service with Lustour Corporation he took up painting landscapes. He spent many happy hours working and reworking his masterpieces during the winter months. In the summer he always had a carpentry project at hand. He built a house for his growing family and soon after built a little cottage for his parents next door. Bob and Susan had five children who remain to cherish their memories: Patricia (Edward) Arbeiter of Murphysboro; Pamela (Dale) Tippy-Messer of Cedar Rapids, IA; Paula (Charles) McNeill of Murphysboro; Perry (Angela) McGowan of O’Fallon, MO and Peggy (Bryan) Schulze of Murphysboro; nine grandchildren, Nathan (Danielle) Tippy of Troy, MO; Samantha (Kirk) Jones of Asheboro, NC; Veronica (Shane) Hinkle of Vancouver, WA; Benjamin (Rose) Tippy of Warrenton, MO; Matthew Heine of Murphysboro; Sarah and Susannah McGowan of O’Fallon and Jasmine and Jessie Schulze of Murphysboro; six great-grandchildren, David; Deborah; Rebekah; Joshua; Jonathan and Emily. He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife and a brother, James (Jimmy) McGowan. Funeral Services will be Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 11:00 am in Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home with Dr. David Sheppard officiating. Entombment will follow in Pleasant Grove Memorial Park Mausoleum. Visitation will be from 9:30 am until the hour of service. In lieu of flowers, expressions of love may be directed to the Church of the Nazarene in Murphysboro and will be accepted at the funeral.

Robert Eugene McGowan

May 15, 1930 - August 12, 2024