Doris Bowers

Doris Roney Bowers, 88, of Decatur, IL died peacefully April 8, 2017 in her home.Funeral services will be at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at Brintlinger & Earl Funeral Home, 2827 North Oakland Ave. in Decatur. Visitation will be from 10:00-11:30 before the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in Keller Cemetery in Lovington, IL Memorials may be made to Maranatha Church or the Humane Society of Decatur.Doris was born November 12, 1928 in Findlay, IL, the daughter of Oscar and Vera (Morris) Roney. She married Robert G. Bowers on September 3, 1960 in Decatur, IL. He preceded her in death October 9, 1999.Doris started working at A E. Staley in the Messenger Department in Decatur. Then, she was promoted to the Payroll Dept., and then to the Secretary of Treasurer within two years. After moving to Decatur with Rona and Denise, she also worked evenings giving piano and accordion lessons. She performed at the Illinois State Fair with her Accordion Band.She met Robert G. Bowers in May, 1960, and became active in many activities, such as acting, playing the piano, and sewing costumes in Theatre 7, played the organ for Central Christian Church, PT A, sang in the Sweet Adelines Chorus and the Sweet Petites Quartet. She also taught Sunday School and was a charter member of the Decatur Genealogical Society joining in 1964. She served as President and Board Member of the Federation of Genealogical Society (national) and also taught Genealogical classes and wrote booklets. She wrote and published the Roney Family History and Genealogy book, which won third place in the nation that year.She was a member and played the organ and piano at Foursquare Church and Maranatha Assembly of God for many years. She directed dramas at both churches. In 1968 she managed the Republican Headquarters in downtown Decatur.She raised five children and was the glue that held our family together. She and Bob enjoyed traveling and did so frequently. Being an accomplished pianist, she played the piano by ear and performed all genres of music. She was very artistic making oil paintings, sewing dresses for 3 daughters, hosting many Roney family holiday dinners, etc. She enjoyed teaching her neighborhood children summer Bible School. She worked at Staley for 10 years and was married to Bob for 39 years and 1 month. She was the last surviving child of Oscar Roney.Surviving are her children: Richard (Sandra) Bowers of Atlanta, GA, Daurene (Robert) Worth of Indianapolis, IN, Rona (Steve) Walling of Fairhope, AL, Kirk (Mary Jane) Bowers of Paris, IL, and Denise (Richard) Wilkins of Mt. Zion, IL; grandchildren: Brad and Wes Stark, Rick Bowers, Angie Waters, Josh Walling, Tina Foote, Heath Bowers, and Chris Worth; several great-grandchildren.Preceding her in death are her husband; parents; 7 brothers and sisters, granddaughter Susan Bond Bowers, and great grandson Cameron Bradley Stark.Special thank you to Bridgett Bond, Lois Jarrett, Sandra Lawrence, Carolyn Taylor, Janette Williams, and Kim Rice. "
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