David B. Lowe

David Barton Lowe, 95, of Sterling, Illinois, beloved father and grandfather, passed away peacefully at Morningside of Sterling on October 12, 2025.

David was born on February 25th, 1930 in Melrose, Massachusetts to William J. and Margaret (Tibbets) Lowe. After graduating from Melrose High School in 1948, David attended Tufts University, graduating in 1952 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He served in the United States Army from 1952-1954 and was stationed in Eta Jima, Japan.

After his military service, David was employed by the Royal Globe Insurance Company beginning his lifelong career in the insurance industry. After a brief stop in Kansas City, Missouri, David was transferred to Peoria, Illinois, where he met Judith Barnett, his beloved wife of 67 years. In 1956 he went to work selling insurance for the Karl Wentzel Agency in Sterling, Illinois. After establishing himself, he brought Judith from Peoria to be his bride in 1958.

David and his partner, Jim Wilkins, purchased the Karl Wentzel Agency in 1972, after which it became known as the Wilkins-Lowe Company. In 2000, Wilkins-Lowe was sold to Grissam, Graham and Toole with David staying on for a year to ensure a smooth transition before retiring.

David was very involved in the community as he felt it was important to give back to the city that had given so much to him. His decades of involvement with the Rotary Club included being a past president and 6 time Paul Harris Fellow. He was also a past president of the United Way, Sterling Chamber of Commerce and the Sterling-Rock Falls Historical Society. A highlight for David was his fundraising efforts for the Lincoln-Manahan Home, as he was a great admirer of Abraham Lincoln. Because he had a rare blood type, he donated many units of blood over the course of his life.

David loved the river and spent countless enjoyable hours boating and socializing with his family and many friends up and down Gregden Shores.

He was an avid collector, mostly of clocks and watches, but also of fountain pens, stamps and countless other miscellaneous “knick-knacks”.

David was preceded in death by his brother James, sister-in-law Beverly, daughter Marcia Wentzel and granddaughter Caitlin Wentzel. He is survived by his wife Judy, sons John (Holly) and Jeff (Angie), daughter Cynthia (Tom) Foley, grandchildren TJ(Erin), Matt, Nick, Ian, Sydney, Payton and great grandchildren Cooper and Luke.

Visitation will be 5PM-7PM Thursday October 16, 2025 at Schilling Funeral Home & Cremation. Funeral service will be 11AM Friday October 17, 2025, at Schilling Funeral Home & Cremation with Katie Ricks of First Presbyterian Church, officiating. Cremation rites will take place after the funeral.

A memorial has been established to BrightFocus Foundation that supports research funding for Alzheimers, Macular Degeneration, and Glaucoma.

Condolences may be sent to www.schillingfuneralhome.com