Bruce Boward

Bruce Boward

Age 59 of Wilmington (Ritchey), passed away Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at Landmark of Richton Park.

Born June 13, 1961 in Kankakee, Bruce Farley was a son of Theodore “Ted” and Janalyn (nee Farley) Boward. He was raised and educated in Wilmington and graduated from Wilmington High School with the Class of 1980. Bruce held employment for several area establishments as a bouncer. He was a member of the Kankakee Jaycees, the Lions Club, and was a volunteer with the Kempton Fire Department. He took pleasure in fishing and racing, but was especially fond of stock car racing. Bruce enjoyed swimming, wolves, pool, football and was an avid Chicago Bears fan. He will be remembered for his annual Santa Claus impersonation.

Survivors include his mother, Janalyn "Jan" of Wilmington; daughter, Lacinda White; grandson, Owen Boward; sisters: Elizabeth (Paul) Rossi and Thea (Brian) Coplea both of Wilmington; half-siblings: Renee Torres of Bourbonnais and Chad (Marla) Greene of St. Anne; step-siblings: Ted (Renee) Boward of Dover, DE, Rusty Boward and Raymond Boward both of Lincoln, IL and Karen (Gail) Liesman of Atlanta, IL; nieces and nephews: Shane Rossi of Wilmington, Sarah Rossi of Mercer, WI, Erica (Jacob) Bolatto of Braidwood, and Haiden and Ava Coplea both of Wilmington; 6 great nieces and nephews, and several cousins, as well as the mother of his children, Teresa Boward.

Bruce was preceded in death by his father, Ted on December 23, 2008; children: Bruce Jr. “BJ” and Angel Boward and his maternal and paternal grandparents.

The family will receive friends for a visitation at Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road, in Wilmington on Thursday, October 15, 2020 between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Face masks requirements and measures of safe social distancing practices will be in order, and the funeral home staff will assist the family not to exceed the safe number set forth for the visitation.

A private family service will be held Friday, October 16, 2020 at Baskerville Funeral Home. Those wishing to participate in Bruce's services are invited to watch the live stream on Friday morning starting at 11:00 a.m. by logging onto his memorial page.

Burial will be in Wesley Cemetery in Wilmington, Illinois.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Bruce’s memory to Kuzma Care Cottage, 635 S. Main Street, Wilmington, IL 60481.

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the guest book, upload photographs and share Bruce’s memorial page online through social media by logging onto: www.BaskervilleFuneral.com/obituary/Bruce-Boward

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington. (815-476-2181)