Rachel I. Bowen, 90, formerly Galesburg, Illinois  died Monday April 10, 2006 at Knox County Nursing Home, Knoxville, Illinois.

She was born February 23, 1916 in Richland County near Olney, IL to Glen and Oral Berry Boley. She married Riley L. Bowen August 12, 1936 in Charleston, IL. He preceded her in death August 19, 2005.

Surviving is a son Don Edward (wife Karla) Bowen of Oklahoma City, OK a daughter Nancy (husband Bill) Balbinotti of Galesburg, IL 3 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, one brother and one sister.

She was a school teacher teaching private kindergarten in her home from 1958 until 1970. She was also the Principal of the Delong grade school, Delong, IL, until her retirement in 1977. She helped her husband run the Bowen’s Ice Cream Factory in West Frankfort, IL in the late 1940’s until 1960. She graduated from Olney High School in 1934 and received her teaching certificate from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Galesburg.

Funeral service at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel with Rev. Marilyn Anell officiating.  Burial in Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens, Galesburg, IL.

Hinchliff-Pearson Funeral Home, Galesburg, IL obituary