Fairbury – Francis W. Mowery – 99, of Fairbury passed away at 11:45am on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at Fairview Haven Nursing Home, Fairbury.

Funeral services for Captain Mowery will be at 12:00pm, Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fairbury. Pastor Tom Krieger will be officiating. Burial will be in Avoca Township Cemetery, Fairbury.
Visitation will be from 10-12:00pm also on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at the church.

Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or Fairview Haven Nursing Home.

Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury is in charge of arrangements.

Captain Mowery was born November 17, 1912 in Avoca Township, the son of James A. and Verna H. Widener Mowery.

He married Elizabeth Marie Herzberger on February 9, 1942 in St. Charles, MO. She preceded him in death.

Surviving are his son Milton (Barbara) Mowery of Bloomington; granddaughter Stephanie (Chris) Kroodsma; great-grandchildren, Grant and Gloria Kroodsma; sister, Verna Jean McHatton; sister-in-laws, Rosella and Ann Margaret Mowery.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and one sister.

Captain Mowery graduated from Fairbury Township High School in 1931. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1934. During this tour of duty he served at Parris Island, SC, attended Sea School at Norfolk, VA, member of Marine Detachment and the US Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD.

In 1936 he was transferred to the Special Service Squadron, stationed at Balboa, Canal Zone where he served with a Marine Detachment aboard the Destroyers, USS Manley and Babbit. He made numerous trips to Central and South American countries and the Galapagos Islands. He made twenty transits of the Panama Canal. He was discharged from the Marine Corps in 1938.

He was employed at Caterpillar Tractor Company in 1941 and later in 1941 became a member of the Illinois State Police. He attended the First State Police Training Academy in 1941 and later served as an instructor at the Academy for seven years.

He re-enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1942 and served at SanDiego, CA and Camp Lejeune, NC. He was a Senior Weapons Instructor, where he trained the Windtalkers and 100's of other Marines. As an enlisted man and upon promotion to Lt. became company Commander and Chief Range Officer at Camp Legeune. He was discharged in 1945 and resumed his duties with the State Police.

He was promoted to Captain in the Marine Corps Reserve in 1946.

He was promoted to Sergeant in 1951, to Lt. 1957 at which time he became District Commander of the Pontiac District. He was a member of the Illinois State Pistol Team in 1954 and 1955. He graduated from the FBI National Academy in 1958 at Washington DC.

He was promoted to Captain in 1962 and commanded District until his retirement in 1974. He survived a helicopter crash in 1973 while on a manhunt.

He was a life member of the State Police Heritage Foundation, International Association of Chiefs of Police, the FBI national Academy Associates, the Illinois Police Association. The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police and the Retired State Police Association; also the American Legion.

He was a member of the Banana Fleet Marines and elected to the Route US 66 Hall of Fame in 1990.

Captain Mowery's hobbies included trapping, hunting, fishing, golf and round table discussions with old friends.

Francis was highly respected by all who knew him and will be missed by all.