John C. Bower went to his heavenly home on October 26, 2025. He leaves behind his wife Melissa (Harriman) Bower, sons Joshua and Andrew, and daughters Helen and Evelyn (Ellettsville, IN).

He was preceded in death by grandparents John L and Helen Bower, Myrl and Helen Holtz, parents Melvin and Myrline Bower, uncles Norman (wife Dorthy Bower), and John M Bower.

In addition, John is survived by his brother Scott Bower, his wife Mandy Bower and their children Trevor, Ethan, Christopher, Lauren, Noah, Emma, and Levi; brother Brent Bower, wife Lisa, and Brent’s daughters Brooke Bower, Brittany (Bower) Rose, and husband Matt, sons Conner and Aiden(Olney, IL) and Sarah Sandino and husband Drew (St Louis, MO); brother Mel Bower, wife Ellen, children Brennan and Sutton (Tampa, FL) and sister Kelly Bower-Wilson, husband Bill Wilson, children William and Jackson. (Normal, IL), cousins Katherine Sanderson and Nancy Bower (Olney, IL) and Patty, Husband Tom Harmon (McKinleyville, CA.

John proudly earned a Bachelor’s of Engineering from the University of Illinois, a Master’s of Education from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, two Technical Certificates, one in Industrial Electric and the other in HVACR from Ivy Tech. He worked for Indiana University for 16.5 years, which includes 8.5 years of his dream job in the Athletic Department as Director of Events. He then worked as a HVAC technician for Commercial Service and ended his working career as a Refrigeration Technician for Walmart.

His hobbies included playing board and card games, cooking, coaching youth sports, telling jokes, fixing things, and looking at Christmas lights.

All are welcome to attend a graveside service at Haven Hill Cemetery in Olney, IL at 9:00 am CT/10:00 am ET and Funeral at Lifeway Baptist Church in Ellettsville, IN at 3:30 pm ET on Saturday November 1, 2025.

In lieu of flowers please send a donation to New Beginnings Pregnancy Resource Center (Spencer, IN) and/or Saul to Paul (Men’s Addiction) Ministries (Ellettsville, IN)

The Funeral Chapel, Bloomington, IN