Timothy J. Bowler

Timothy J. Bowler died suddenly on October 16, 2020. He was born on October 19, 1956 in Oak Park, Illinois to John J. Bowler, Jr. and Mildred I. (nee Lorig) Bowler. Tim spent his childhood years in Chicago and Twin Lakes, WI. He attended grade school at St. Lucy Catholic School and at Immaculate Conception, graduated high school from William Howard Taft, and attended college at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, Western Illinois University and Southern Illinois University. He spent countless hours skating at Ridgeland Ice rink in Oak Park, playing hockey on state championship teams coached by his dad. He played varsity baseball at Taft, batting over .500 his junior year. Along the way he collected numerous friends whom he loved dearly and who were always a huge part of his life. He was always interested in other people and able to make everyone around him feel like they had known him forever- always the life of the party, everyone wanted to be near Timmy. Tim met his wife Kim in Carbondale at SIU, and they would spend the next forty years together. They lived in Chicago for twenty years, working hard and living life to the fullest. Tim followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, father, and uncle, and worked as an engineer for the CBOE, where he was always a favorite employee and a beloved boss. After their daughter, Cameil, was born, they purchased a resort in northern Wisconsin and moved there to focus on their family. Tim and Kim were blessed to be able to spend all of their days together, and through all the ups and downs in life, they always had each other. He spent countless hours with his adored daughter, playing catch, racing boats, listening to music, skating, and teaching her how to be a smart ass. He had a gift of never taking anything too seriously, and he never changed from the fun loving guy he always was. Never interested in status, he only wanted good company, good food, good music, good sports, and good beer. He is described as a great man, nicest guy you will ever meet, exceptional, and one of a kind. He will be incredibly missed by everyone whose life he touched. He was taken too early, and it will be difficult to imagine a life without Tim. He is survived by his wife Kimberly, daughter Cameil, brother John (Carol) Simms, brother-in-law Keith (Beth) Valerius, sisters-in-law Vicky (Jack) Rowley and Kate Valerius, nieces and nephews John, Julie, Michelle, Jason, Abby, and Will, mother-in-law Mary Ann Kaplanes, uncle Tom Bowler, and cousins Tom, Peggy, Karen, Eileen, and Patrick. He was predeceased by his parents, sister Patty and husband Stan Anderson, father-in-law John Valerius, aunt Joanne (Bowler) Cannata, and uncle Bill Bowler. A Memorial Service will be held at a future date when it is safe to gather. In lieu of donations and flowers, please send pictures and memories for the family.