Jerry Cowley

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Jerry Cowley, 66, formerly of Du Quoin, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2010 at his home in La Habra, Calif. with loved ones at his side.

Jerry was born Nov. 5, 1943 to E. Raymond and Helen Cowley, the eldest son of six children. While living in the Du Quoin area he worked at U.S. Gypsum in Pinckneyville and helped in the construction of the Marion 63601 shovel at Captain Mine. After moving to California he continued his career as a welder, also working on the Alaksan pipeline.

Jerry loved nature, raising exotic birds, writing and reading poetry and cheering on his favorite baseball team- the Angels. Though living in California most of his life, Jerry had fond memories of growing up in Du Quoin and loved to reminisce about the "good old days" with family and friends.

Jerry is survived by his loving wife Guillermina Cowley; his children, Robin Endsley, Kim Applegate, Wendi Baran, Carlos Herrera and Ricardo Ocampo; six grandchildren and four brothers and sisters, Marvin Cowley, Donna Miller, Brenda Kuberski and Patti Bardle.

He was preceded in death by his loving parents, E. Raymond and Helen Cowley and his sister, Carol Sue Cowley.