Jerald M. "Jerry" Bowles, 71, of 508 Oak died at 5:55 a.m. Friday (Aug. 7, 2009) in Blessing Hospital. Born June 11, 1938, in Quincy, Jerald was a son of Richard M. and Eva M. Howard Bowles. He married Virginia M. Harrison on Oct. 9, 1963, in Quincy. She survives. Jerald was a member of the DAV, the Naval Fleet Reserve Association and the Silver Dollar Square Dance Club. He enjoyed fishing and also won a blue ribbon at the Adams County Fair for his sewing skills. He cherished the time he spent with his family, especially his grandchildren. Jerald served his country in the United States Navy from 1955 to 1976. He served on many ships during his Naval career, most notably, on the Destroyer USS Floyd B. Parks and two aircraft carriers, the USS Oriskany and the USS Constellation, receiving the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Navy Unit Commendation. He was retired as a Radioman First Class. After his retirement, he attended John Wood Community College where he served as the school's first VA Representative. He later attended Quincy University where he received his Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts Degree in accounting. He was then self-employed as a tax accountant from 1981 until the present time. In addition to his wife, Virginia, he is survived by two sons, Michael "Mike" Bowles and his wife, Debra, of Quincy and Thomas "Tom" Bowles of Greensboro, N.C.; four grandchildren, Cody L. Bowles, Katrina M. Bowles and Cooper M. Bowles, all of Quincy and Elizabeth M. Bowles of North Carolina; a sister, Joyce Dodd and her husband, Art, of Wapello, Iowa; two half-sisters, Nina White and her husband, Larry, of Peoria and Debbie Bowles of Pennsylvania; and a half-brother, John Bowles of California. Mr. Bowles was preceded in death by his parents; and three brothers, Dickey Bowles, and twins, Loyd and Floyd Bowles. SERVICES: 10:30 a.m. Monday in the Zehender Robinson Stormer Cookson Funeral Home with Rev. Marlin Rempfer conducting. Burial will be in Greenmount Cemetery. The U.S. Naval Honor Detail from Great Lakes and Payson V.F.W. Post 2061 will conduct military honors at the graveside. VISITATION: 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home. MEMORIALS: Blessing Cancer Center. ARRANGEMENTS: Zehender Robinson Stormer Cookson Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed online at www.whig.com.


Published in the Quincy Herald-Whig from 8/9/2009 - 8/11/2009