DeForest, WI - Gerald L. “Jerry” Bowen, age 96, passed away on Thursday July 3, 2025 at his apartment in Parkside Senior Living of DeForest, WI.

Jerry had been hospitalized several times for various ailments in the months preceding his passing. Thanks to the efforts of the staff at Parkside Senior Living and Brighton Hospice Services he was able to spend his final days at home. During this time many friends and family members were able to visit. He was born on March 13, 1929, at his grandfather’s home, three miles south of Merrillan, Wi , the son of Floyd Bowen and Elsie (Brewer) Bowen.

Jerry graduated from Merrillan High School in 1947. Upon graduating he and his best friend Ralph toured the western half of the U.S. by taking odd jobs for gas and spending money. By 1950 after having worked at several jobs, he took a job doing body work at Manley Ford in Belvidere, IL. On October 17, 1951 he married Alberta Blachford in Belvidere, IL. In 1953 he built his first body shop next to his family’s home. In 1960 he purchased four acres of land on Rt. 20 just west of Belvidere and built a larger body shop. In 1968 he sold the Belvidere shop and built a new auto repair business in DeForest, WI. He sold the shop in Deforest and stayed on as manager for over twenty years until he retired in 1997. Jerry liked to stay busy and started wood working as a hobby when he retired. His hobby evolved into an oak furniture business where he made items for six stores in the Madison area. During his retirement he was an active volunteer. For over ten years he delivered meals for Meals on Wheels and drove people to medical appointments.

Jerry was an active church member most of his adult life. In Belvidere he became a member of the First Presbyterian Church . After moving to DeForest he was a member at the First Presbyterian Church of Lodi where he became an elder. By the mid-1970’s Alberta and Jerry became members at Christ Lutheran Church, where Jerry served on several committees.

He is survived by his sister Jean Janke, daughter Mary Revis (Paul) and son Jim (Jeanne Bowen Macias); grandchildren Kerry Bowen, Casey Bowen (Nicole Grunewald), Kyle (Stafanie) Bowen, and Michael (Melissa)Revis; great-grandchildren Grayson Revis, Paige Revis, Knole Bowen, Edyth Bowen and Morgan Henly. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 62 years, Alberta, his son Gary, and his siblings Arnold, Dennis, Melvin, and Mary Lou.

A visitation will be held at Christ Lutheran Church, 220 S Main St, DeForest, on Saturday, July 19, 2025 before the service from 10:30 am to 11:30 am. A Funeral service will be held at Christ Lutheran Church in DeForest, Wisconsin on July 19, 2025, at 11:30 am with Pastor Sue Beadle officiating. A luncheon will be held at the church following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial donations be made to the DeForest Area Community Center or Christ Lutheran Church