Henry L. “Sonny” Bower, Jr. age 84, of rural Oblong, Illinois passed away Sunday, May 24, 2026, at his home.
Graveside Services for Sonny will be held at 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at the Honey Cemetery in Bogota, Illinois. Burial will be in the Honey Cemetery. Crain Funeral Home, Newton is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Sonny was born on January 12, 1942 in Jasper County, Illinois, the son of Henry L. Bower, Sr. and Roberta (Utley) Bower. On September 30, 1960, Sonny married Carol Bailey. She survives. Through the years, Sonny worked at Sunderland Hatchery, United Technologies and retired from Advanced Technologies. Sonny was a member of the Bogota Baptist Church.
In his free time, Sonny loved spending time outdoors. He enjoyed camping, gardening, mowing the yard and playing men’s fast pitch softball. For many years, he played with Chiefs. Sonny enjoyed sports and loved rooting for the Cubs and the Packers. He loved watching NASCAR and was Dale Earnhardt’s number one fan. Sonny loved animals and especially loved their family pets. To his family, Sonny was their rock. He loved his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved to joke and had a great sense of humor.
Sonny will be loved and remembered by his wife of sixty-five years, Carol Bower of Oblong; daughters, Kim (Rick) Goss of Oblong and Misty (Rik) Nussmeyer of West Salem; seven grandchildren Travis (Britni) Huddleston of Robinson, Levi (Hilary) Huddleston of Oblong, Payton (Autumn) Goss of Willow Hill, Ricky (Brandy) Bower of Wyoming, Tasha (Billy) Owens of Connecticut, Lillian Nussmeyer of West Salem and Lola Nussmeyer of West Salem; twenty great-grandchildren, Sophie, Audrey, Jack, Graham, Carter, Nolan, Weston, Jaden, Maddox, Elaina, Kinsley, Kingston, Jayla, Jayzie, Jacen, Keaton, Korbin, Noah, Ryleigh and Jacob; and siblings, Jerry (Shirley) Bower of Oblong, Larry (Kathy) Bower of Newton, Kenny (Charlotte) Bower of Latona, Rita (David) Dallmier of Stoy, Donna (Monte) Bemont of Newton and George Bower of Newton.
His parents, son Jeffrey Bower and sister Mary Wetherholt preceded him in death.
Memorial gifts in honor of Sonny may be made to the Saved by Grace Animal Rescue.
Online condolences may be offered at www.crainfuneral.com.
