Doris Eileen West

, age 88 of Stronghurst, Illinois, formerly of Biggsville, Illinois, died at 12:05 a.m. Friday December 28, 2012 in the Oak Lane Nursing & Rehab Center in Stronghurst. She was born March 15, 1924 in Lomax, Illinois, the daughter of Charles and Georgia Marsden Bowlyow. On November 25, 1945, she married Raymond West in Burlington, Iowa.

Doris lived most of her life in the Biggsville area, moving to Stronghurst in October of this year. She had worked at the Biggsville and Stronghurst A.S.C. offices, and later was employed for many years as Social Services Director at the former Lamoine Christian Nursing Home in Roseville. After her retirement she continued volunteering at the nursing home, Monmouth Hospital, and Oak Lane Nursing & Rehab. She was an active member of the Stronghurst Christian Church, where she taught Sunday School for many years. She was a former Cub Scout leader and loved reading, bowling, playing cards, and watching Cardinals baseball games with her sister.

Survivors include her husband, one daughter- Judy Gravgaard of Biggsville, one son- Michael (Peggy) West of Biggsville, six grandchildren- Brian Gravgaard, Tom Gravgaard, Michael (Heather) Gravgaard, Stacy (Brandon) Merry, Brenda (Jeff) Tee, and Jeff West, six great grandchildren - Cody, Lacie, David, Rebecca, Taydyn, and Braden, one sister - Mary Thurman of Carman, IL., one sister in law - Virginia (Dean) Shuster of West Burlington, IA., and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers- Earl and Gail Bowlyow, one granddaughter- Amy West, and one great granddaughter - Kaitlyn Gravgaard.

Visitation will be from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday January 1, 2013, with the family meeting friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst. The funeral for Mrs. West will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday January 2, 2013 in the Stronghurst Christian Church with Rev. Steve Minkler officiating. Burial will follow in the Biggsville Cemetery. Memorials have been established for the Stronghurst Christian Church and Oak Lane Nursing & Rehab.