Lyle Curtis Lowry

Lyle Curtis Lowry, 92, of Normal, passed away at 7:23 a.m. on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at Heritage Manor in Normal.His funeral will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 11, 2018 at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington, where visitation will be from 12noon to 1:30p.m. Entombment will be at East Lawn Memorial Gardens, Bloomington immediately following services. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Red Cross or to the Wounded Warrior Project.To view the obituary online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.comHe was born July 2, 1925 in New Sharon, IA, son of Cleo George and Caroline Gertrude Van Dimmelin Lowry. He married Margaret Adamson on October 29, 1949 in Burlington, IA, she preceded him in death on June 28, 2009 in Bloomington. He was also preceded in death by two sisters.Surviving are two sons, Curtis (Glenda) Lowry of Box Elder, SD and Kent Lowry of Normal; five grandchildren, Logan Parker Lowry and Heather (Paul) Ulmer, Sommer (Todd) Baum Chris Lowry; five great-grandchildren and one brother, Cleo Lowry Jr.Lyle attended high school in Burlington, IA and entered the US Navy in 1942 serving in the Asiatic Pacific on USS Sigourney during WWII. He served as an electricians mate for three years, receiving a Purple Heart among other medals and awards.After his military service he worked for Oscar Mayer in Burlington, IA, providing fond memories and an endless supply of wiener whistles and model wiener mobiles for his sons and their friends. He progressed as a salesman for 43 years, eventually moving to the Bloomington-Normal area.Lyle loved boating and water-skiing, memorably attempting the ski jump in Burlington, IA as well as showing a singular proficiency on his self-invented backward slalom. His love of boating eventually led him to own a home on the river. In retirement, he and Margaret completed the "Great Loop," a 6,000-mile journey starting in the Gulf of Mexico, up the eastern seaboard, into Canada, through the Great Lakes, and back down the Midwestern Rivers.His outgoing, friendly, fun-loving personality made him a success as a trainer in the Dale Carnegie method of leadership. He was a Boy Scout leader and was active in the local civic organizations such as Moose, Elks, Eagles and VFW.Lyle leaves his children and grandchildren with lots of fun memories that they will deeply cherish. Lyle and Margaret were always the life of the party.