Pawnee — Cecil Edward "Ed" Bowen Jr., 86, of Pawnee, Illinois, passed away Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, at Springfield Memorial Hospital in Springfield. He was born April 17, 1937, in Pawnee, the son of Cecil E. Bowen Sr. and Lula H. Brewer Bowen. He married Jacqueline A. Schuecking on Sept. 26, 1959, at Pawnee United Methodist Church. Ed was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Jeffrey W. Bowen, in 2019; one brother, James Bowen; and three sisters, Elizabeth Mae "Sue" Gilmore, Edith M. "Monnie" Deavult and Shirley I. Gilbert.

Ed graduated from Ball Township High School in 1955 and was a member of Pawnee United Methodist Church. He was a U.S. Army veteran who served from 1956 to 1966, obtaining the rank of chief warrant officer 2 (CW2). During the Vietnam War, Ed served as a helicopter pilot, and he received several medals and commendations for his service, including the Vietnam Service Medal, Air Medal with nine oak leaf clusters, Army Aviator Badge, Army Commendation Medal with 10 oak leaf clusters and the National Defense Service Medal.

After completing his military service, Ed worked in real estate sales, and he and his wife owned Ed and Jackie's Tavern and Jackie's Package Liquor in Pawnee, as well as Bowen Safety Consultants. He also worked for George A. Mueller Beer Co. and was a private helicopter pilot for Sangamo Construction Co.

Ed is survived by his wife of nearly 65 years, Jackie Bowen, of Pawnee; two sons, Edward L. Bowen of Springfield and Timothy A. Bowen of Pawnee; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one brother, Walter O. (wife, Susan) Bowen, of Bakersfield, California; one sister, Carolyn (husband, Jack) Alspaugh, of Pawnee; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield, with the Rev. Bobby Davis officiating and the Department of Defense and Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County conducting military honors.

Curry Funeral Home in Pawnee is serving the family of Ed Bowen Jr. Online condolences may be expressed at www.curryfh.com.