Jolene Bowen

Jolene Marie Bowen Champaign - Jolene Marie Bowen, 65, of Champaign passed away peacefully at home on Saturday (Nov. 15, 2025). Born on July 15, 1960, in Watseka, Jolene was the beloved daughter of Jean Marie and Charles Barnlund. She grew up surrounded by friends and family in Watseka and carried that deep sense of connection throughout her life. Jolene graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1982 with a bachelor of science in nursing. Just months later, on Dec. 26, 1982, she married the love of her life, Roger Bowen, in her hometown of Watseka. Together they built a life rich in devotion, laughter and family. Jolene and her family have been longtime parishioners at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Champaign. Jolene began her local nursing career on the sixth floor of Provena Covenant Hospital. She later found her calling in infection prevention, serving as an infection preventionist at OSF Health Care. She was a long-standing board member and former president of the Central Illinois APIC chapter. Her commitment, leadership and expertise were recognized by her colleagues and the health communities she supported. She was an early riser who loved her quiet morning ritual: the treadmill, followed by a pot of coffee and the daily challenge of the Jumble, Sudoku, Wordle and the New York Times crossword puzzle. Jolene enjoyed cooking for those she loved and sharing recipes she curated from the many cookbooks that filled her pantry. From the Rockies to Tuscany, she enjoyed traveling with her family, collecting memories. Her laugh and sense of humor was infectious. She enjoyed sharing her enthusiasm for Star Wars, "Survivor," remote Yellowstone geyser viewing, and group jigsaw puzzle assembly. Above all, family was Jolene's greatest joy, especially her role as "Mimi" to her granddaughters, Leah Nicole and Callie Marie Campbell, who brought youthful light to her life. Jolene is survived by her husband, Roger; their children, Drew Bowen and Katherine Marie Campbell and husband Daniel; granddaughters, Leah and Callie; sister, Beth Barnlund of Roeland Park, Kan.; and brother James Barnlund and wife Holly of Plainfield. She was preceded in death by her brother Steve Barnlund; parents, Jean Marie and Charles Barnlund; maternal grandparents, James and Marie Rhoades; and paternal grandparents, Carolyn Lindgren and Wilbur Barnlund. Jolene will be remembered for her warmth, strength, drive, integrity and unwavering love for family. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Daily Bread Soup Kitchen. Visitation will be at Owens Funeral Home, Champaign, on Wednesday, Nov. 19, from 4 to 6 p.m. There will be a funeral Mass on Thursday, Nov. 20, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Champaign. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. Condolences may be offered at owensfuneralhomes.com.