M. Lois Campbell

M. Lois Campbell, 96 of Stronghurst, IL passed away at 6:30 p.m. Thursday May 5, 2016 at Great River Hospice House in West Burlington, Iowa.

Lois was born on the Brokaw family farm near Raritan, Illinois on April 26, 1920, the eldest of five children of George and Mary Gunter Brokaw. She attended Cox Grade School and graduated from Media-Wever High School in 1937. She attended nursing school in Burlington, IA for two years and had to quit nurses training upon marrying Oscar Dowell on October 9, 1940. They spent their married life in Henderson County, Illinois, where Oscar was involved in farming. Oscar passed away on April 8, 1966. After his death, Lois finished the farming that year and then sold the farming business.

She attended business school in Burlington, and upon completion, worked for Knutstrom Chevrolet dealership in Stronghurst. On August 25, 1968, she married Norman Campbell and moved to Monmouth, IL, where she worked for the Warren County Farm Bureau. In 1973, they moved to Marengo, IL, and she worked for Northern Illinois Breeding Co-op. Both she and Norman retired and continued to live in Marengo where they were active in charity work, especially the Loaves And Fishes food pantry. They were awarded the Jefferson Award for Northern Illinois Volunteer Work in 1987. In February, 1990, they moved back to Stronghurst.

Lois continued in volunteer work at the Stronghurst United Methodist Church, American Legion Auxiliary, Senior Citizens Center in Stronghurst, and 18 years of volunteer work at Oak Lane Nursing & Rehab, also in Stronghurst.

Survivors include one son, Rod (Karen) Dowell of Girard, IL, one stepdaughter, Sheila (George) Wells of Bloomington, IL, two stepsons, Larry (Becky) Dowell and Sid Dowell, both of Stronghurst, 7 granddaughters, 5 grandsons, 20 great grandchildren, 5 great great grandchildren, one sister, Lillian Bray of LaHarpe, IL, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, three brothers, and five grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Monday at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday May 10, 2016 at the Stronghurst United Methodist Church, with Rev. Karna Peterson officiating. Burial will follow in the Stronghurst Cemetery. Memorials have been established for Stronghurst Ambulance Service, M.S.T. Fire Department, or the Raritan Opera House. Condolences may be left at banksandbeals.com.