Johnny L. Bowen

Johnny Lyle Bowen, age 71, of Lincoln, formerly of Quincy, died Thursday, September 11, 2025, at Copper Creek Cottages Memory Care in Lincoln after a rapid battle with dementia.

Johnny was born July 21, 1954, in Quincy, IL, the son of Lyle E. and Lucille E. Pettyjohn Bowen. Johnny was preceded in death by his parents.

Johnny was a graduate of Liberty High School, Western Illinois University where he received his bachelor's in Political Science and Sociology, University of Illinois at Springfield where he earned his master's degree in Public Administration, and served two tours in the United States Army, retiring as a sergeant. Johnny was often the smartest man in any room, knocking out any competition in trivial pursuit or strategy. He worked in several areas of government for the state of Illinois, finally retiring from writing policy manuals in Research and Development for the Illinois State Police.

Johnny married the love of his life Gabrielle Marie Ruble in June 1990. He adopted her three daughters: Jennifer, Kristi, and Julie Piatchek, in 2001.

Gay preceded him in death in February 2018. He was also preceded in death by Kristi Marie Piatchek in 2001, Julie Anne Piatchek in 2023, a sister Wendy Bowen in 2019, brother-in-law Ed Cramer, sister-in-law Kim Bowen, and his favorite aunt Veda Bowen Hall, among others. He had quite the welcoming committee in heaven.

Survivors include: daughter Jennifer (Ryan) Keith of Lincoln; sister Carol Cramer of Palmyra, MO; brother Jerry Bowen of Quincy; grandchildren: Gracelyn Keith of Charleston, IL; Emersyn Keith of Lincoln; Madison Atwood of Lincoln; McGwire Atwood of Charleston, IL; and McKenzie Lyle and Miles Atwood of Saint Joseph, IL, many cousins, nieces and nephews, and grandnieces and nephews.

Johnny loved to collect coins, track ancestry back hundreds of years, and dote on his grandchildren, especially when they were little. He was an avid reader, loved Archie comics, Star Trek and Superman. He owned copies of every version of A Christmas Carol, even the bad ones, on VHS and DVD.

The family would like to give special thanks to the team at Copper Creek Cottages and Gentiva Hospice for their support and caring for Johnny during his time there.

A memorial service for Johnny will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home in Lincoln, IL. Visitation will take place on Friday, September 26, 2025, from 5:00-7:00pm also at the funeral home. Burial will follow the service at Holy Cross Cemetery in Lincoln.

Johnny believed very strongly in education. Memorials may be made to the family to help the grandchildren with college costs; donations may be made in the ? Jennifer Keith.