Terry Rowell

PEORIA - Terry Glenn Rowell, 75, of 2534 Vermont St., Quincy, Ill., father of a Peoria resident, died at 1:03 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010, in Blessing Hospital in Quincy.

He is the father of Peoria resident Brian Rowell, WMBD Radio Sales Manager.

Mr. Rowell was born Nov. 16, 1934, to Cleo and Loyal Rowell, Deshler, Ohio. He married Barbara Grimmer on May 8, 1965, in Quincy.

He attended public schools and Findlay College in Findlay, Ohio.

He served in the U.S. Navy from 1953 to 1957, touring 14 countries on the carrier USS Franklin D. Roosevelt.

He was a member of Quincy Elks Lodge #100 for 42 years, and was a member and active volunteer with the Quincy Community Theatre.

His career with the John B. Rogers Producing Company, the country's largest producer of historical re-enactments and civic celebrations, in Fostoria, Ohio, began in 1960 until the company closed its doors in 1979. Rowell produced, directed and wrote historical dramas and stage productions, traveling all over the country with his family.

From 1979 to 1988, he was a district sales manager for the National Federation of Independent Business. After retirement, he worked in mail and delivery for the Quincy Medical Group, where he retired in 2004.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara; his son, Brian; his daughter, Stephanie Rutledge and her husband, Don, of Santee, Calif.; his mother-in-law, Marian Grimmer of Quincy; and his grandchildren, Olivia Rowell of Peoria and Nicolas and Braden Rutledge of Santee; and his sister, LaDonna Myers of Findlay, Ohio.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Sharon; and father-in-law, Aldo Grimmer.

Services are at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, in Quincy Community Theatre, with the Rev. Judy Taylor conducting a "Celebration of Life."

Memorials include the Illinois Cancer Care Foundation, 8940 N. Wood Sage Road, Peoria, IL 61615.

Arrangements by Hansen-Spear Funeral Home. The funeral home website is www.hansen-spear.com.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.whig.com.