Shirley Jean Gower

Shirley Jean Gower MARION-Shirley Jean Gower, 74, of Marion, beloved wife, mother, sister, and grandmother, went home to be with our Lord at 4:45 PM, Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion, following a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, August 3, 2007 at Blue Funeral Home in Marion with Reverend Victor Long officiating. There will be no visitation. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery in Marion. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois; envelopes will be available at the funeral home or may be sent c/o Blue Funeral Home, PO Box 411, Marion, IL 62959. Mrs. Gower was born September 5, 1932 in Creal Springs to Charlie and Oma Lee (Cavitt) Faulkner. Growing up in Marion, she met her future husband, Paul Gower. On September 20, 1947, she was united in marriage to Paul in Piggott, Arkansas. They spent their life together raising their children and grandchildren in Marion; she was of the Baptist faith. Shirley’s family is her legacy, raising and loving three children, six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Survivors include her loving husband, Paul; her daughter Vicki and husband Marion Barnaby of Marion; her daughter Paula and husband Dave Chamberlain of Golconda; her son Don Gower, of Las Vegas, Nevada; brother John and wife Betty Faulkner of Collinsville, Illinois; grandchildren Nikki (Gower) LeMasters, Terra (Chamberlain) Farris, Andrea (Barnaby) and husband Rob Kurczewski, David Chamberlain, Aaron Barnaby, and numerous nieces and nephews. Shirley’s very special friends, neighbors, and family were by her side for love, support, and prayers during her time of illness. Special thanks go to her sisters-in-law Linda Clark, Shirley Summers, Maxine Emery, and Dorothy Lloyd. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved grandson Robbie Chamberlain, sisters Elizabeth Winn, Doris Watson, and Mary Ester Minter, brothers Robert, Jack, and Earl Faulkner. Shirley will be sadly missed and remembered for her smile, helping hand, and the love she gave to so many. To view this obituary and sign the register book visit our website: bluefuneralhome.com. END OF STORY: Questions please call Blue Funeral Home @ (618) 997-5648. Thank You