Wayne Sowers

Wayne Lavern "Bob" Sowers

Age 91 and a lifelong resident of Gardner, passed away Sunday June 19, 2010 at Walnut Grove Village in Morris.

Born November 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 and soon after gained employment with US Steel South Works in Chicago until 1947. It was at that time that Bob and his brother John opened Sowers Brothers Grocery in Gardner. On November 1, 1956, Bob married Lillian R. Bertot (nee Girot) in South Wilmington, and after Bob's brother left the family business, Bob and Lillian continued Sowers Grocery until retiring on December 31, 1980. Bob was a member of Church of Hope in Gardner; former member of the Gardner AF & AM (Masons) and a charter member of Gardner Lions, from where he held membership for over 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, enjoyed hunting rabbits and pheasants and 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, Illinois 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, Alabama, who was like a son to Bob.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, wife Lillian on January 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 on Wednesday June 23, 2010 from 4:00PM until time of funeral service 7:30PM at Reeves Funeral Home, 203 Liberty Street in downtown Gardner. Bob's niece Reverend Krista Price will officiate and a private family interment will follow in 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 guest book 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. (815/237-2526)