Warren O. Lowe

Warren O. Lowe passed away peacefully at his home on December 4, 2022, after an arduous journey with Parkinson's and Lewy Body disease.

He was born on February 7, 1933 to John P. and Marion (Westlake) Lowe on the family farm north of Sycamore.

Wearing many hats throughout his life, Warren touched countless lives as a farmer, teacher, preacher, world volunteer, friend, and mentor. He graduated from Sycamore High School in 1951. Later he enlisted in the United States Air Force serving in a weather forecasting unit from an underground bunker in Germany. His love for travel flourished during this time, exploring the European nations with his service buddies during their furloughs. When he returned home, he enrolled at Northern Illinois University studying social science and earning a bachelor's of science degree in education in 1960. Warren enjoyed teaching 4 ^th -6 ^th grades at Maple Park Elementary School, but after many years of juggling full-time farming with his full-time teaching position he retired from teaching to help run the family farms. Later in life, he was compelled to enroll in divinity school where he earned a master's degree in religion and philosophy. He was a lay-pastor around the region with the United Methodist Church serving parishes in Cortland, Triumph and Troy Grove. In his retirement years, his travels took him to every continent on globe where he was a lifelong learner, an advocate for peace and understanding, and passionately promoting human rights and conservation.

Whether he was entertaining the idea of riding a barrel over the falls of Niagara with his bride, climbing Aztec pyramids with his children in Mexico, refurbishing dwellings at the Dazzling Stone Orphanage in India, inviting a companion to accompany him on an Elderhostel excursion or a Roads Scholar adventure, backpacking through Siberia, volunteering with his church for global and local concerns, or standing on a corner holding a sign promoting peace, equity, and inclusion, it was apparent, Warren lived each day to its fullest. Warren believed in Luke 1:37, " For nothing is impossible with God."

As much as he loved to explore the world and its diverse populations you could catch him pulling in the driveway emulating John Denver singing, "Hey it's good to be back home again, sometimes this old farm feels like a long lost friend, yes, and hey, it's good to be back home again.

Left to cherish his memory are his sister Cora (Lowe) Marten, of Oregon City, Ore., his son Jonathan and wife Jennifer (Gardner) Lowe of DeKalb, his daughter Marion and husband Richard Breen of Danville, Va., his granddaughter, Hannah Breen of Washington, D.C., and grandsons, Sebastian Lowe of DeKalb, Nicholas Breen of Danville, Va., and Connor Lowe of DeKalb. Warren is also survived by his steadfast friend, former wife, and mother of his children, Louise (Chestnut) Lowe of DeKalb, and his constant companion and champion Joe Villa of DeKalb, as well as many treasured nieces and nephews and loyal friends, most especially his friend of 89 years, Jeff Strack.

The path to eternal rest was paved by his parents, an infant brother, sisters, Marcia Wardell (Don), Jessie Caldwell (Dallas), Beatrice Bue (Elwyn), Ruth Lowe, brother-in-law John Marten, and nephew Stephen Caldwell.

Warren's family would like to thank the hospice and medical personnel who respectfully cared for him throughout the last few years. A very special thank you to his Barb City Manor family and his church family at the Sycamore United Methodist Church who created a wonderful network of support and guidance.

Visitation will be Tuesday, December 27, 2022, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., at the Finch Funeral Home in DeKalb. Family and friends are invited to gather at the Sycamore United Methodist Church on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. with Warren's good friend, Rev. Mary Lou Eubanks officiating to remember a life well lived. Lunch will follow. Burial will be at Mayfield Cemetery on Tuesday January 3, 2023, at 2:00 p.m.

Warren loved flowers, but in lieu of flowers please consider a donation to organizations that support the homeless, education, animal welfare, conservation, or world peace. Plant a tree, hug your neighbor or assist a stranger today in Warren's memory.