Nancy Lee Bowman's Obituary
Nancy Lee Barding Bowman, 86, passed away on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at St. Mary’s Hospital, with her loving family at her side.
Nancy was born on December 3, 1939, in Decatur, IL. She married the late William John Bowman on November 22, 1958, also in Decatur. Her life’s greatest work was as a mother, though she did spend some time employed as a machinist, baker, and other food prep jobs over the years. These skills were also given freely to her family in the form of wedding cakes and other special treats.
She enjoyed working with her hands and took up countless crafts throughout her life: crochet, knitting, embroidery, cross-stitch, and even woodworking. In her leisure time, she loved to spend her time camping, pontoon boating on Lake Mattoon, bus trips to Nashville, TN, and shopping. She belonged to the Red Hat Society, as well as sewing, card, and bunco friends groups. Additionally, she was an excellent motocross scorekeeper and an avid monster truck enthusiast.
Nancy will be remembered as a loving wife, wonderful mother, excellent grandmother, and special great-grandmother.
In addition to her husband, she is preceded in death by: parents, Emma Eileen (Maurice) Lockwood and Hilbert Ralston (Phyllis) Barding; brother, Dean Barding; and sisters, Elizabeth McGlade and Mary Foreman.
She is survived by: four children, William “Billy” (Tammy) Bowman, Derek (Lisa) Bowman, Lisa (Jeff) Mahon and Lori Bowman; six grandchildren, Cassy (Stephen) Simmoneau, Bryce (Mackenzie) Bowman, Brianna (Eddie) Boles, Seth (Jodee) Bowman, Blake Bowman and Zach Bowman; four great-grandchildren, Tyson Simmoneau, Raelynn Bowman, Cayden Bowman, and Sage Boles.
Honoring Nancy Bowman’s wishes, cremation services will be provided by the Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 2091 N. Oakland Ave. Decatur, IL. No services are planned at this time.
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