Julie Gowen

Julie Gowen of Bloomington, passed away on August 2, 2017 at LeRoy Manor Nursing home, LeRoy, Ill.

A celebration of life service will be held at North Bridge Baptist Church, Normal, at 1 p.m. on August 12, 2017, with Pastor Jan Hazecamp and Pastor Michael Sloan officiating. Inurnment will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Urbana, Ill. at a later date.

Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home in Bloomington is assisting the family with arrangements.

Julie was born in Urbana on August 5, 1943, to G. Howard Gowen and Ruth Cogdal Gowen.

A major event for Julie was spending 2 years in Chile with her parents. Her father was sent to Chile by the State Department to oversee a public health program. Julie attended a local girl’s school that she enjoyed very much. She always spoke fondly of the people she met and the experiences she had.

Later Julie took a summer job with an adoption service. She loved it and soon was given many responsibilities. The summer job turned into a part time job during the school year. She stayed in contact with the head of the agency until her death and was in contact with her children for many years.

Julie entered the University of Wisconsin in Madison and graduated with a PhD in Philosophy. After graduation, she joined the faculty of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. She taught many of the philosophy courses but specialized in religion and logic. Later she pursued environmental ethics. She became the Chairperson of the Philosophy Department and later became the Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Illinois State University. In that position, she spearheaded a major curriculum review and proposal.

After retirement, Julie concentrated on her gardens and became an art collector. She bought a condo in North Carolina and filled it with paintings and metal sculptures and decorated her Bloomington home in the same way.

Julie was a generous, gracious, caring person. She was also witty. Often she listened attentively to others in conversations and then came up with a “zinger” that made everyone laugh. She loved animals especially dogs.

She is survived by her uncle: Richard Cogdal, Urbana, and cousins: Ann Birt and her three sons, St. Joseph, Ill., Sara Elsesser and her son and daughter, Bowling Green, Ohio, and niece: Janet Gowen, Bogart, Ga.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of her may be made to The Nature Conservancy, 4245 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 100, Arlington, Virg. 22203-1606 or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Online condolences may be made to www.calvertmemorial.com.