Harley Bowlin Jr., 83, of Mt. Vernon died 9:20 p.m. May 5 2006 at White Oak Rehabilitation Health Care Center in Mt. Vernon.

He worked as a coal miner at the Freeman No. 3 mine in Waltonville.

Mr Bowlin was born Dec. 14, 1922, in Sesser to Harley and Helen (Page) Bowlin.

He married Earline C. (Carroll) Bowlin Oct. 28, 1945, in Sesser; she survives.

Funeral services will be held 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon. The Rev. Bruce Gordan will officiate. Burial will followin Kirk Cemetery in Ina, with full military honors performed by members of Mt.Vernon American Legion Post 141. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon.

Mr Bowlin is survived by his wife, Earline C Bowlin of Mt. Vernon; a son, Russell L. Bowlin and wife Susan of Prescott, Ariz.; two daughters, Lana McWilliams and husband Andre of Chandler, Ariz., and Carole Taft and husband Freeman of Tempe, Ariz.; two sisters, Freda Little of Ocala, Fla., and Billie Voyles and husband Russle of Ocala, Fla.; 10 grandchildren, Wade Bowlin, Chris Reichenbacher and wife Jennifer, Shane Reichenbacher and wife Jaime, Lee Reichenbacher, Jordan McWilliams, Michelle Wells and husband Paul, Kris Austin and wife Charity, Kein Austin, Truman Tucker III and wife Dedra and Deryke Tucker; 12 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law, Bob Little.

Mr. Bowlin was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans, the United Mine Workers Local 9111 and Operating Engineers Local 324 of Detroit, Mich. He was a disabled U.S. Army veteran of World War II and a Purple Heart recipient, a professional fisherman with the Red Man Bass Tournament circuit, was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Mt. Vernon and was a quail hunting and fishing enthusiast.

For those who wish, memorials may be given to Wesley United Methodist Church and will be accepted at the funeral home or may be mailed to Hughey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 721, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Hughey Funeral Home, where you may call 242-3348 or visit the Web site at www.hugheyfuneralhome1969.com for further information.

Source: Mount Vernon Register News
Date: Monday, May 8, 2006
Submitted by Jan Staples