Donna Jo Ann Bowman

STERLING – Donna Jo Ann Keeling Bowman, died Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013, at the age of 71, at her home after a long battle with ovarian cancer.

Donna was a 1959 graduate of Sterling High School. She had worked at Illinois State Police District 1 Headquarters in Sterling; at Allen Funeral Home in Sterling as a grief counselor; and at the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs office in Rock Falls.

She also was a founding member of the Hospice of Whiteside County, and was in hospice care during her illness.

She was a member of St. Mary Church in Sterling, and most recently of St. Andrew Church in Rock Falls.

Donna is survived by her husband, Charles “Chuck” Bowman of Sterling; her daughter, Kimberly Bowman Bird of Rockford; sons, Elliott “Scott” Kraus of Plano, Texas, Brian Kraus of Rubio, Iowa, and Charles “Bo” Bowman of Sterling; and six grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Douglas and Wanda Keeling of Vandalia; her brother, Douglas “Skip” Keeling of Rockford; and daughter, Dana Kraus Walker of Greenwood, Miss.

Visitation will be from 8 to 9:45 a.m., followed by the Celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m., Saturday at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Rock Falls, with Monsignor Thomas Dzielak officiating. McDonald Funeral Homes are handling arrangements.