John Dowling

JOHN J. DOWLING, age 81, of Sugar Grove, formerly of Lyons, IL, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by the love of his family on Tuesday, March 08, 2011. BORN: He was born March 23, 1929 in Ireland, the son of Martin and Ann (Scally) Dowling. EARLY YEARS:John grew up in Westmeath and attended local schools. In 1954, John made his way across the Atlantic to the United States and settled on the south side of Chicago. MARRIAGE: In 1956, John lost his heart to Monica Keavney and she was only happy to give hers in return as they danced the night away at an Irish dance hall. They were united in marriage on June 14, 1958 and continued to make their home on the south side. RESIDENTIAL HISTORY: Later, John and Monica, along with a growing family, moved to Blue Island until they moved to Lyons, IL in 1967. After raising a family of five children, John and Monica moved to Sugar Grove in 2002. OCCUPATION / WORK HISTORY:John was his own boss painting houses for fifty years. Dowling Decorating made its mark across Chicagoland making homes beautiful, inside and out and top to bottom. He put down his brushes in 2001 retiring to a life spent with his wife, children and grandchildren. LIFE NOTES: John’s life was his work and his family. After fifty years of painting homes, John enjoyed his free time doing whatever his heart desired, even if it was just watching westerns, especially those with John Wayne, on television. SURVIVORS: He is survived by his Irish bride, Monica;Five children:Margaret Cox of Manhattan, IL, Patricia Dowling of Frankfurt, IL,John Dowling of Wildwood, IL, Deanna (Craig) Knoche of Elburn, IL and Robert Dowling of Countryside, IL;5 grandchildren;2 great-grandchildren;2 siblings:Rose King of Oakbrook, IL and Mary Hamrogue of LaGrange, IL;Many nieces, nephews, cousins and a family of friend both here and across the pond. PRECEDED:He is preceded in death by his parents and one daughter in infancy. VISITATION / FUNERAL Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL on Friday, March 11, 2011. A mass to celebrate his life will be held at St. Gall Catholic Church, Saturday, March 12, at 1 p.m. Fr. Karl Ganss, pastor of the church, will officiate and interment will follow at St. Gall Cemetery. MEMORIAL A memorial has been established in his name to benefit Season’s Hospice. Checks may be made to the "John Dowling Memorial" and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address or on the web at www.conleycare.com.

Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL on Friday, March 11, 2011. A mass to celebrate his life will be held at St. Gall Catholic Church, Saturday, March 12, at 1 p.m. Fr. Karl Ganss, pastor of the church, will officiate.

Interment will follow at St. Gall Cemetery.