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John Richard Rowan

FUNERAL HOME

Donnellan Funeral Home

10525 South Western Avenue

Chicago, Illinois

John Rowan Obituary

John R. Rowan, 57, June 13, 2023. A Los Angeles resident who grew up in Chicago's Beverly neighborhood. Graduated from St. John Fisher Grammar School and Brother Rice High School. An accomplished, successful – and entirely self-taught - musician. Beloved son of Mary T and the late Richard P. Rowan. Dear brother of Anne and Tim (Mary) Rowan and an admired uncle, nephew, cousin, friend, and source of inspiration to many. John was a true free spirit who entertained us all in his own unique and beautiful way. Private services have been held. A Celebration of Life will follow later this Summer. In lieu of flowers, please refer to RCOSA Chicago, rcosa.org. Arrangements entrusted to Donnellan Funeral Home. For info 773-238-0075 or sign guestbook at www.donnellanfuneralhome.com.

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Published by Chicago Tribune on Jun. 25, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for John Rowan

13 Entries

Ellen Ward

July 20, 2023

My first memory of Johnnie was when I was around 10 years old. My younger sister, Peggy, and I had taken a Greyhound from Michigan to stay with Aunt Mary and Uncle Dick, Anne, Timmy and little Johnnie. He was still in a highchair, so I'm thinking it was around 1967. Even at such a young age, I remember he had rock-star good looks, and the voice to match. He sat in his highchair and sang the whole time, and he was really good!

Many years later, when he was with Urge Overkill, I heard the band was appearing in a place here in Washington DC. I rushed over to catch the show, and when the show was over, I wended my way over to the band's touring bus. I tried to get onto the bus, telling the touring manager that I was Johnnie's cousin, but he wasn't having it. I guess that's a common claim from female admirers;) Eventually he came out and we had a nice quick chat.

I was so sad to hear of his passing. My heart goes out to Mary, Anne, Tim and the extended family

John Freyer

June 29, 2023

RIP Johnny. We used to play Hot Wheels down the hill on Artesian, when we were little. We used to hang around when we were older at all the cool spots, Eric the Red XRT nights, The Exit. I´d go see him play at the Metro when he was in the band, Tumblin Dice. I´d see him later in the 90s, after he struck fame at places in the noerhside. No matter who he was with, he was always happy to see me and would invite me to sit down with whoever he was with. He was smart and funny. I was saddened to hear of his passing. I had always hoped to run into him again to talk about the old days. Heaven is rocking just a little more.

Bob H.

June 27, 2023

John was an amazing musician, and an even more amazing person. He had so much charisma, so much energy. He touched so many people, including myself, with his selflessness and his kindness. RIP John. You will be missed dearly.

Maribeth

June 26, 2023

Johnny had so much charisma, creativity and talent. He was my cousin and growing up I was in awe of how supportive his parents were to all of their children. If love were enough to save him, he would still be with us. My love to Mary, Anne and Tim for the loss of Johnny.

Dan Ward

June 25, 2023

Some of my earliest and happiest memories were of Johnny and me as boys. Playing in Uncle Dick's and Aunt Mary's backyard, riding waves at the NJ shore, and visiting the loop for my first time. I remember him practicing drums on his new set in his parent's basement. He said it was hard work. But he was so drawn into the rhythm, that I knew his passion had found him.

O´Rourke Richard

June 25, 2023

Sincere Condolences to Rowan Family
Rest in peace JOHN

Tom Wagner

June 24, 2023

Johnny and I learned how to play hockey together in Oak Lawn. Later we played baseball together and his dad was a great coach!

Erin Khar

June 24, 2023

It´s hard to capture what John meant to me in the space of a few sentences.

He changed me. He changed the shape of my heart. He believed in me and saw who I was at a time when I struggled to do so for myself. That was one of his many gifts- to break through the madness and see people for who they truly are.

To say that I am sad that he is gone would be a gross understatement. Like so many others who loved him, I have been wading through the grief.

Grief starts as an unbearable state of being, a reaction to what we lost. And I don´t think grief goes away. We just learn to live with it, beside it.

But grief does transform, shifting from a state of pain and loss to a thing of beauty, a testament to the importance of what we had, proof of love and life.

And that proof makes me grateful to have known him, to have loved him.

Thank you. For all of it.

MICHAEL WARD

June 24, 2023

What a loss. A truly unique individual. Prayers for Johnnie and the surviving family

Mike Ward

"Eddie" King Roeser

June 24, 2023

Aside from genius level musical artistry, John was the second funniest man I have ever met. He brought joy and humor to thousands of people and made me laugh thousands of times

Love, Cali and the Dewitts

Sent Flowers

Cali Dewitt

June 24, 2023

The best there ever was.
Rest in peace my brother
Love, Cali and the Dewitt family

Andrew - Brother Rice HS class of '84.

June 23, 2023

My heartfelt condolences to John's friends and family. John once wrote and recorded a song that affected me deeply and prevented me from harming myself, and for that I will be forever grateful. May he rest in peace.

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