Jarrell “Jerry” McCowen, 87, of Waltonville, Illinois, passed away at 5:23 am July 5, 2021 at Green Tree in Mount Vernon, Illinois. He passed peacefully with his wife and children by his side.

Jerry was born April 30, 1934 to the late Ralph and Hazel (Hamilton) McCowen. He was proudly married to Betty Ann (Olivier) McCowen for 66 years.

In addition to his wife, Jerry is survived by his children, Mary Beth Lance and husband, Ronald on Mount Vernon, Harold McCowen and wife, Cyndi of San Antonio, Texas, John McCowen and wife, Shelly of Mount Vernon, and Katrina Newell and husband, Paul of Dyersburg, Tennessee; grandchildren, Stephanie White and Greg, Staci Bechtel and Brian, Chad Newell and Lexie, Lori Newell and Chris, Casey Newell and Claire, Craig Vishy and Morgan, Annie McCowen and C.J., Kayleigh McCowen, and Shelby McCowen; and great-grandchildren, Gabe, Maura, Izaic, Silas, Carter, Sophia, Sutton, Willa, and Baby Newell on the way.

In addition to his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by his brothers, Dyer, Calvin, and Donald Ray McCowen; and sister, Freda Mae Lemons.

Jerry was a retired coal miner. He was a hobbyist of fishing, camping, and growing the best tasting tomatoes around. More than anything, he loved his family. Jerry was loved by everyone and will be missed by many.

A Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, July 8, 2021 at 10:00 am at Saint Mary Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Mount Vernon with Father Nick Junker officiating. Interment will follow at Knob Prairie Cemetery in Waltonville, Illinois. Memorials may be made in Jerry’s honor to Knob Prairie Cemetery or the National Kidney Foundation and will be accepted at the funeral home. You may visit their website at https://www.kidney.org for more information.

Call Newell Funeral Home at 618-279-7272 or visit newellfuneralhome.com for further information.