Eleanor J. Bowen

Eleanor J. Bowen, age 75, of Mattoon, passed away on Friday, March 1, 2013, at her residence in Mattoon, IL. \r\n\r\nVisitation will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 1601 Charleston Avenue, Mattoon, IL at 9:00 am Thursday, March 7, 2013, with the funeral service following at 11:00. Burial will be at the Melvin Cemetery in Melvin, IL. Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, located at 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, Illinois, 61938, is in charge of the arrangements.\r\n\r\nEleanor was born on May 6, 1937, in Paxton, Illinois. She was the daughter of Lowell and Ruthella (Phillips) Dueringer. She married Phillip G. Bowen on August 25, 1956, in Melvin, IL. He preceded her in death on April 29, 1998.\r\nEleanor was a member of the First United Methodist Church where she enjoyed teaching at Sunday School Nursery class and singing with the Joyful Singers. She also sang in high school and was always involved in music. She was in the 4-H Cloverettes who went to the Congress in Chicago, one of 13 acts that performed that year. Her faith in the Lord Jesus continued to grow throughout her entire life as she fought cancer once in 1978 and again in 2004, before succumbing to it recently. She enjoyed knitting and making many afghans for the new additions in her family. Eleanor cherished spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. \r\n\r\nShe is survived by her three sons: David Bowen and wife Karen of Mattoon, IL, Kevin Bowen and wife Karen of Wilmington, Delaware and Steven Bowen and wife Kim of Sherman, IL. Seven grandchildren: Christina Reynolds and husband James of Mattoon, IL, Joshua Bowen and fianc' Jessica Burke of Mattoon, IL, Justin Bowen of Wilmington, Delaware, Nina Bowen of Springfield, IL, Blake Bowen of Sherman, IL, Camille Bowen of Sherman, IL and Hannah Bowen of Sherman, IL. Three great grandchildren: James Reynolds of Mattoon, IL, Daniel Reynolds of Mattoon, IL and Wyatt Bowen of Italy.\r\n\r\nEleanor was preceded in death by her husband and her son Keith Edward Bowen.\r\n \r\nMemorials in her honor may be made to Camp New Hope, PO Box 764 Mattoon, IL 61938 or Lincoln Land Hospice, 1000 Health Center Drive, Mattoon, IL 61938.\r\n\r\nPlease visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com to light a virtual candle in her honor or share a memory with the family. \r\n

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Eleanor J. Bowen

May 6, 1937 - March 1, 2013