George "Lew" L. Fowler, 90, of Illinois City, passed away Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at UPH-Trinity, Muscatine.

A private family service will be held and private burial will be at Buffalo Prairie Cemetery.  Memorials may be made to the family to be divided up between the Eliza Lions Club and the Reynolds American Legion.

Lew was born on June 28, 1931 in Mercer County, the son of George and Mildred (Kane) Fowler.  He married Dorothy "Dot" Kerres on August 20, 1949 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Edgington, she preceded him in death on January 12, 2010.  Lew served in the U.S. Airforce in the 82nd Airborne from July 1952 to June 1954.  He was a self-taught mechanic on tractors for most of his working life.  Lew worked for Lewis Equipment, Aledo, Eastern Iowa Equipment, Wilton, IA, and in his own garage.  Lew and Dot enjoyed going on vacations with their motorcycle, usually taking 3-4 week trips.  In his younger years he could be found at the race track making sure the cars were ready to race, and even got to participate in the "mechanics race."  He loved teaching his grandchildren to drive in his old pick up, starting about the ages of 3-4 on his lap.  Probably illegal now!

Lew was active in his community and was an avid volunteer.  For 14 years he logged 2228 hours helping fellow veterans get to their dialysis appointments in Iowa City.  He was a member of the American Legion, Reynolds and the Eliza Lions Club.

In his later years he loved to go on tractor drives, and take part in local parades.  He would haul to several of these during the summer months, usually with his friend, Don Emmons, who has already gone to the lord.  Lew never knew a stranger, and always enjoyed having a conversation with anybody around.

Lew is survived by his children, Bonnie (Ron Terry) Fowler and Patrick (Cathy) Fowler; grandchildren, Mike (Melissa) Stalkfleet, Amber (the late Joe) Hazen, Josh (Ashley) Fowler, and Jenny (Ryan) Garrison; great grandchildren, Savana, Bryce, Trayton, Jaxon, Franklin, Cameron, Carlos, Addison, and Eli; brother-in-laws, Aug E (Mary Rose) Kerres and Ronny (Patricia) Kerres; sister-in-law, Marilyn Spivey; several nieces and nephews; and special friend, Dixie Morehead.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Dot Fowler; parents; 3 infant daughters; brother, Leroy Fowler; sister, Darlene Taylor; brother-in-law, Gary Kerres; and special friend, Don Emmons.