GARDNER — Mr. Wayne Lavern "Bob" Sowers, 91, a lifelong resident of Gardner, passed away Sundaym June 19, 2010 at Walnut Grove Village in Morris.
Born Nov. 8, 1918, in Gardner, Bob was a son of the late Frank and Josephine Kroll-Sowers. He was a graduate of Gardner-South Wilmington High School with the Class of 1936. Soon after graduation, he gained employment with U.S. Steel South Works in Chicago until 1947. It was at that time that Bob and his brother John opened Sowers Brothers Grocery in Gardner.
Bob married Lillian R. (Girot) Bertot on Nov. 1, 1956, in South Wilmington. After Bob's brother left the family business, Bob and Lillian continued Sowers Grocery until retiring on Dec. 31, 1980.
Bob was a member of Church of Hope in Gardner, former member of the Gardner AF&AM (Masons) and he was a charter member of Gardner Lions, from where he held membership for more than 50 years. It was also during his activity with the Lions that he was named an Illinois Foundation Fellow and received the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award.
Bob was an avid Chicago White Sox Fan. He enjoyed hunting rabbits and pheasants, and he enjoyed fishing with his grandsons. He could be found in attendance at all of his grandsons' sporting events and cherished the time spent with his eight great-grandchildren.
Survivors include one daughter, Janet (Danny) Anderson of Gardner; two grandchildren, Jeffrey (Jodi) Anderson of Hampshire, Ill., and Matthew (Janine) Anderson of Gardner; eight great-grandchildren, Lucas, Braden, Bryce, Landon, Brody, Cole, Drew and Ella; five sisters, Betty Huston, Lorraine Brockman, Dorothy Muzzarelli, Becky Sowers and Marsha Sowers, all of Gardner; one sister-in-law, Sandy Sowers of South Wilmington, and one brother-in-law, John Dite of Coal City; and numerous nieces and nephews, as well as Allan Paquette of Hoover, Ala., who was like a son to Bob.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; wife Lillian on Jan. 22, 2008; three brothers, John, Archie and Harold, and three sisters, Maxine Dite, Jean Treasure and Juanita Marshall.
Visitation and video tribute will be held from 4 p.m. Wednesday June 23, 2010, until the time of funeral service at 7:30 p.m. at Reeves Funeral Home, 203 Liberty St., in downtown Gardner. Bob's niece, Rev. Krista Price, will officiate.
A private family interment will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Wilmington.
Preferred memorials in lieu of flowers may be made as gifts in Bob's memory to the Gardner Lions Club, Church of Hope or Joliet Area Community Hospice.
Friends may sign the online guestbook by logging onto www.ReevesFuneral.com.
Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Gardner. For more information, call (815) 237-2526.