Jimmy Lee Bowton

Jimmy Lee Bowton, 81, of Geneseo, passed away on Monday, January 17, 2022, at Hammond Henry Hospital, Geneseo.  A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 22, 2022, at Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory – Geneseo Chapel.  Reverend Jerry Boswell will officiate.  The service will be livestreamed at www.vandemorefuneralhome.com/live-stream.  Visitation will be from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. on Friday, January 21, 2022, at the funeral home.  Per Jim’s instruction, cremation rites will be accorded following all services.  Memorials may be directed to Ebenezer Church of God 26455 Illinois Highway 82, Geneseo, IL, 61254, Rebuilding Together, 119 N. State Street, Geneseo, IL, 61254, and the Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry, 620 W. Main Street, Geneseo, IL, 61254.

Jimmy was born June 1, 1940, the son of Joseph and Alonzo Bolen, in Harrison County Indiana.  He was later adopted and raised by Everette and Ruth Bowton.  He graduated from Canton High School, Canton, IL.  In 1963, Jimmy married Carloyn Carley at a service held in Canton.  He was employed as a machinist foreman for International Harvester, Reynolds Engineering, IMI – Galva, and Hon Industries, but most recently he was an exterminator for Emerick Pest Control.

Jim was very active in the community as a full gospel businessman where he assisted in Jail House Ministries, toured with Hallelujah Singers, ministered at local nursing homes, performed as Santa at community events, taught Firearm Safety & Archery Skills to friends and family, Lay Ministries, and held multiple positions at Ebenezer Church of God.  He became an ordained minister so that he could have the privilege of performing a marriage ceremony for his granddaughter.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting, mushroom and arrowhead hunting, gardening, beekeeping, and trapping furs.  His greatest joy was following his grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s activities and life events.

Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife, Carolyn; children, Therresa (Derrick Skiles) Bowton, Karman (Drew) Bodeen, James Bowton, and Michael Bowton; eleven grandchildren, Carley Johnson, Daulton Johnson, Whitney Bowton, Sidney (Matt) Augsburger, Morgan (Jordan Welch) Bowton, Mikayla (Austin) Prevost, Rayne (Austin) Dicus, Reece Bodeen, Kassandra (John Tinker) Bowton, Makinzie Bowton, and Shauna (Michael) Regaldo; three grandchildren, Olivia Welch, Eira Augsburger, and Mia Christenson; and sister, Bonnie (Paul) Johnson.

He was preceded in death by his birth and adoptive parents; brothers, Milton Handshoe, Manford Handshoe, Monroe Handshoe, Garland Gibson, Shelton Bolen, Bernice Bolen, Joseph Bolen, Jr.; sisters, Marie Handshoe Chiatello, Cora Bolen Barker.