Jeanne Parker

Jeanne Marie Parker

(nee Bowman)

Age 58 of Coal City, and formerly of Joliet and Marseilles, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, January 1, 2018 at  her home.

Born February 25, 1959 in Chicago, Illinois, Jeanne Marie is a daughter of Joanne (nee Pagliaro) Bowman-Portegys-Cavallero of Wilmington and the late James Joseph Bowman, Sr. She was raised and educated in Joliet; graduated from Saint Francis Academy with the Class of 1977; attended both Joliet Junior College and College of St. Francis, and went on to earn her Bachelor’s degree from Columbia Southern University in Alabama. On May 25, 1979, Jeanne married William John Parker in Joliet.

Jeanne was an active member of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church in Coal City, where she volunteered as a counter, and belonged to The Martha’s. She was a former member of St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Joliet and served as a lay Franciscan. An avid walker and cyclist, especially when it was for a cause, Jeanne also loved to read and was a writer. She was a woman of great spirituality, who lived for faith and family. Jeanne was devoted to the Rosary; cherished her kids and grandkids, and will be remembered for her smile.

Survivors include her husband Bill, five children: Stephanie (Jason) Tarrant of Grant Park, Dave (Nicole) Parker of Marseilles, Jason (Kristi) Parker of Peru, Brian Parker of Florida and Michelle Parker of Coal City; grandchildren: Alyssa, Jacob, Ashley, Brianna, Joshua, Bailey, Alexander, Hannah, Jasmine, Justin, Robin, Sadie, Gracie and Amelia; her mother and step-father Joanne Portegys and John Cavallero; brother James Joseph (Kaye) Bowman, Jr. of Hawaii; sister Kathleen (Michael) Marconi of St. John, Indiana; two sisters-in-law: Karen Bowman of South Dakota and Jayne (Steve) Gorman of Joliet; several step-brothers and step-sisters, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jeanne was preceded in death by her father, James Joseph Bowman, Sr.; brother, Michael Bowman; sister, Patricia Marie Siegel, her aunt Frances Brown, and step-father Nicholas Portegys.

Visitation and video tribute will be held on Thursday, January 4, 2018 between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at Reeves Funeral Home, 75 North Broadway (one block north of Illinois Route 113) in Coal City.

Funeral services will follow Friday morning, January 5th at 10:00 a.m. in Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church, 215 South Kankakee Street in Coal City. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Reverend Robert Noesen officiating.

Burial will be in Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Braidwood.

Pallbearers will be David Parker, Jason Parker, Brian Parker, Michelle Parker, Jacob Tarrant and James Bowman.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Jeanne’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Family and friends may sign the guest book, upload photographs or share Jeanne’s memorial page online by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Coal City. ( 815-634-2125 )