Barbara Bowermaster

Barbara Cryer Bowermaster, 84, of Ottawa, Illinois passed away Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at Pleasant View. A public visitation will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church on Friday, November 23, 2012 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. A Memorial Service in Barbara's honor will be held the following day, November 24, at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church following a private burial at Oakwood Memorial Park. Arrangements have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home. Barbara Cryer Bowermaster was born May 26, 1928, in El Paso, Illinois, daughter of Clifford Eugene and Carol (Cherry) Cryer. She married Ralph E. Bowermaster of Ottawa on August 23, 1952. Her husband of 59 years, Ralph passed away in Ottawa this year on Easter Sunday, April 8. Barbara is survived by her children, Jon Bowermaster, Meg Roen, and Tod (Cynthia) Bowermaster. Her daughter, Mary Limbaugh, passed away this year on June 1. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Zachary and Nicholas Roen, Jessica and Neil Henges, and Kathryn and Ryan Bowermaster, as well as her sister, Jean Anderson and brother, Dr. Philip Cryer. Barbara attended El Paso public schools and graduated from Northwestern University in 1950 with a B.A. in music education. After graduation, she taught music in the public school systems in Serena, Wilmette, and Rockford. After moving to Ottawa in 1972 when Ralph opened his first McDonald's restaurant, Barbara spent 25+ years teaching in the Ottawa school system. She inspired generations of students and their families in Ottawa to love music. After her family, music was the love of Barbara's life. She founded both the Friendly City Sound (an all city youth choral group) and the Illinois Valley Symphony Guild and was a long time member of the Ottawa Amateur Music Club. Barbara was tireless in her dedication to bringing not only the symphony, but music of all genres to the community. Barbara served on the Board of the Illinois Council of Orchestras and was honored by the organization in 2000 with their volunteer of the year award. She was a member of the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority, PEO International and many other social and philanthropic organizations. In May, she and Ralph were honored by the Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra for their years of support. In lieu of flowers, Barbara would have appreciated charitable donations to the Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra (P.O. Box 306, Ottawa, IL 61350) or Ottawa Elementary School's Music Department, Central Intermediate School, 711 E. McKinley Road, Ottawa, IL 61350, or High School Music Department, 211 E. Main Street, Ottawa, IL 61350.