BOWEN, Claude M.

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, Arizona Published Tuesday, April 22, 2008 Claude M. Bowen, 88, of Bloomington, Ill., passed away April 17, 2008, at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington. He was born Nov. 10, 1919, in Blythedale, Mo., son of Chester A. Bowen and Lucy Cavendar Bowen. He graduated from high school in Ridgeway, Mo., and also had additional training in Missouri, Iowa, Utah, and California. Claude served as an officer in the Civilian Conservation Corps, later the War Department. He entered the Army Air Corps serving as a pilot in the 2nd ATS 20th Air Force flying in Burma, India, and China (known as the HUMP) during World War II. Claude flew 49 combat missions and was awarded the Air Medal, four battle stars, and two Chinese medals. He was on active duty four years and remained in the Air Force Reserve for another 16 years. Claude later worked the Veterans Administration. He was with the Dale Carnegie organization for 28 years, training people in all five of the courses in Iowa, Illinois, Alaska, Indonesia and Jamaica. After retiring, Claude worked with Wycliffe Bible Translators, Tentmakers Youth Ministry, and International Training Alliance for 30 years. He won the Angel award for producing three films for Wycliffe Bible Translators. Claude wrote 12 books and several training manuals for Christian leaders. Claude traveled extensively, visiting, working or vacationing in 65 countries. He traveled around the world twice and was active as a pilot for 40 years. He served on the Board of Trustees for the Lincoln Memorial University and several other boards. His hobbies were traveling in his motor home, flying, genealogy and writing. He is survived by his wife, Bethine, whom he married in 1941; a son, James D. (Jane) Bowen, of Lake Havasu City; twin daughters, Deanna C. (Richard) Bilyeu and Claudia D. (Leonard) Sigler, all of Normal, Ill.; grandchildren, Thom Bilyeu, of Normal and Toni Bilyeu, of Bloomington, Ill., Renee Reiman, of Bothell, Wash., Russ Bowen, of New York, and Randy Bowen, of Dubuque, Iowa; great-grandchildren, Jess and Cheyanne Reiman, of Bothell, Wash., and Jimmy and Jacob Bowen, of Dubuque, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Dean and Leland Bowen; Navy Veterans; and Roy Lee Bowen; retired Police Sergeant in Kansas City, Mo. Claude was a member of the Evangelical Free Church in Bloomington, Ill. Contributions in his memory may be made to a charity or organization of your choice. Claude was an inspiration to all that knew him; a great leader, a wonderful husband, and the best dad ever. Visitation will be held from 9:30-10:30 a.m. today prior to the funeral at 10:30 a.m., at Calvert and Metzler Memorial Home, in Bloomington. Burial will be at East Lawn Memorial Gardens with a full military service. All funeral arrangements are being handled by Calvert and Metzler Memorial Homes. A memorial service will also be held on Friday at 3 p.m., at Westminster Village in Bloomington.