Larry Joe Bowers

Larry Jo Bowers, 76, of Orient passed away on September 10, 2025 at the Community Living Center in Marion, Illinois.

Larry Joe was born on February 7, 1949 in McLeansboro, Illinois to John L. "Briss" Bowers and Claudia (Bridwell) Bowers. On June 19, 1982 he married Phyllis Owsley, who survives.

Larry Joe enjoyed spending time with his family, gardening, working around the house, and traveling. He had worked as a Prison guard at Pontiac Correctional Center, Menard Correctional Center, and Big Muddy River Correctional Center, where he retired after 20 years. He also worked for L & N Railway and as a coal miner for Inland Steel Coal Company. He was a member of the Orient Church of Christ.

Larry Joe is survived by his wife Phyllis (Owsley) Bowers of Orient, Illinois; son Michael (Mickey) Bowers; 3 grandsons Gage Williams and wife Casey of West Frankfort, Ethan and Drew Bowers of Orient. He is also survived by 4 great-grandchildren, Reese Hood, Parker June Williams, Emryx and Raegan Hill; brother John R. Bowers and wife Phyllis Sue of McLeansboro; sister Andrea Tennyson and husband Melvin of McLeansboro; sister-in-law Judy Parker Bowers of McLeansboro; 2 brothers-in-law Rick Owsley and wife Nancy and Jed Owsley of Orient; 1 sister-in-law Janet Zachary of West Frankfort, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents John and Claudia Bowers; brother Mark "Bub" Bowers; brother-in-law Virgil "Buddy" Zachary; and mother-in-law Evelyn Owsley.

Larry Joe served in the US Army from May 27, 1968 to May 26, 1971. He joined the Army at the age of 19. He served in Vietnam from October 18, 1968 to April 27, 1970, where he was awarded the Purple Heart.

Services will be held on Sunday September 14, 2025 in the Union Funeral Home in West Frankfort at 1:00pm with Rev. Andy May officiating. Interment will be in the Denning Cemetery on the Orient Road. Visitation will be held from 11:00am to 1:00pm prior to the service. Military rites will be accorded by the American Legion Post 1961 of Orient, Zeigler Post 177, and the Marion National Honor Guard.

Memorials may be made to the Orient Church of Christ and will be accepted at the funeral home.