David Bower

     David Theodore Bower, age 54, of Argo Fay, passed away at his home on Saturday, May 9, 2026. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Law Jones Funeral Home in Thomson, Illinois. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the West Carroll FFA Foundation. 

     David was born on February 20, 1972. At just two months old, he was adopted by Gerald and Beth Bower. David grew up in Argo Fay and attended Thomson schools, graduating from Thomson High School with the Class of 1991. 

     During his youth, David was a spirited participant in basketball, the school band, and FFA. He famously succeeded in catching a calf during the calf scramble at the Carroll County Fair. His love for music was a constant throughout his life. 

     David was a man of the land and a hard worker. From middle school through his early 20s, he worked at the Durward farm, a job he loved so much that while he might struggle to get out of bed for school, he was always ready and eager for farm work. Later in life, he worked for Wildwood Farms, Argo Rubber Manufacturing, and P and P Industries in Sterling. At P and P Industries, his dedication as a forklift driver earned him the "Employee of the Year" award. 

     Known for his deep empathy, David had a unique gift for sensing when others were struggling or unwell. He was often described as a "Pied Piper" because of his natural way with children. In his later years, he was a devoted son, checking in on his parents every night and assisting them with the heavy lifting and chores around their home. Whether it was helping a neighbor with grocery shopping or simply sharing his favorite music with his mother, David’s heart was always open to those in need. 

     David will be dearly missed by his parents, Jerry and Beth Bower of Argo Fay; two sisters, Seana (Jim) Frint of Barnes, Wisconsin, and Amy (Tim) DeCastro of Des Moines, Iowa; his biological siblings, Michelle (Mike) O’Hara and Pat Balk; an uncle, Lynn Bower of Thomson; three nephews, Leevi Frint, Steven (Kayley) DeCastro, and James O’Hara; four nieces, Sarah Frint, Jamie Frint, Grace DeCastro, and Andrea (Brad Noble) DeCastro; and five great-nieces and great-nephews. 

     He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Glen and Beulah Bower; maternal grandparents, Lyle and Vera Williams; his biological mother, Pauline; and a nephew, Ben DeCastro.