Published on November 9, 2025 4:23 pm
Last Updated on November 9, 2025 4:23 pm
James W. “Jim” Bowlin Sr., 75, of Effingham, IL, passed away on Friday, November 7, 2025 at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, IL.
Visitation will be held from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. Thursday, November 13, 2025 at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham followed by a time of sharing at 2:00 p.m. Burial will be in Oak Ridge
Cemetery in Effingham with military rites. In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials may be made to the American Legion Post 120 or to the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.johnsonandsonsfh.com.
Jim was born on March 5, 1950, in Effingham, IL, the son James M. and Lucille (Levitt) Bowlin. “Jim”, “Jimmy” or “Chip” was a great guy and those that knew him know how funny he was and just very nice to everyone. He was a yes man and was the parent that you would go to when Mom would say no. He would sneak his way into covering up for you. He was kind and loving, he was fun to be around and could make you laugh at the worst times. He was a story teller who had the most outrageous stories about his life and his time in the Vietnam War. He married Marica Henkelman in 1969 and they had 5 children. Jim was a handyman who could fix just about anything. He had a love for cars. He watched a lot of boxing, racing, football and most of all westerns. He loved country music. His favorites being George Jones, Alan Jackson, Conway Twitty, George Strait, Dolly Parton, Reba and he enjoyed getting to see some of them live. He loved his wife Marcia through everything and as she has struggled with cancer and other illnesses for several years he had been right by her side through all of it. Everyone loved Jim and he was a kind and caring human being.
Jim is survived by his wife, Marcia Bowlin; children, Rhonda Bowlin (Karla Nagel), Jamie (Stacey) Bowlin, Tracy Bowlin, and Brian Bowlin; 21 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; and sisters,
Charlotte (Dennis) Crumrin and Debbie Wells.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, James W. Bowlin Jr.; granddaughters, Taylor Charles and Dariane Weis; siblings, Jack Bowlin, Genie Bowlin, Richard Bowlin, Alice Bowlin, Trish Mason, Loretta Bowlin, and Vivian Bowlin; and niece, Angie Quast.