August 14, 1978 – April 15, 2022
Funeral services for Joseph Bowman, 43, of Eagle Butte were held April 25, 2022 at the Eagle Butte School. Burial was at the Eagle Butte Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge.
He passed away in Eagle Butte on April 15, 2022.
Joseph Ryan (“Lil Joe,”) Bowman was born in Eagle Butte on August 14, 1978, the third child of Joseph (“Big Joe”) and Ginger Bowman. He attended all his school days at Cheyenne-Eagle Butte Schools. In grade school he wrestled in AAU and later in high school. He rode bulls and team roped with Aaron Webb. He graduated from high school in 1996.
In the fall of 1996, he attended Western Dakota Vo-Tech and graduated in 1998. Upon his return home, Lil Joe worked for Bryce Peterson for three years then worked for his Dad, Big Joe. He worked for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe until 2017 at Prairie Management and Land & Natural Resources. About 2017-2018 he started moving trailers for people, often leveling and skirting the trailer for the owners.
On June 1, 2012, Lil Joe married Lexi Keckler. To this union the couple warmly welcomed their first daughter, Suni, on May 26, 2009. In addition, they welcomed their second daughter, Rowie, on May 18, 2011. Lil Joe was a funny, protective Dad. He loved to cook and was infamously late. He loved to play pool, watch movies with his girls, play cards, poker, and euchre with Larry.
Lil Joe is survived by his mother, Ginger Bowman; his two daughters, Suni and Rowie and their mother Lexi of Eagle Butte; sisters Ravae and Misti of Pierre; brothers Jim (Jennifer), Leo (Memory), all of Eagle Butte, and Justin (Jonni) of Mobridge; nieces, nephews, cousins; Uncle John (Jaren) Bowman of Las Vegas, NV and Uncle Jim (Gloria) Bowman of Rapid City.
He is preceded in death by his infant, Baby Bowman; father Joseph “Big Joe” Bowman; grandparents Lyle and Mary Bowman and Edward and Evelyn Dupris; aunts Elaine “Renee” Cook and Jo Red Willow; niece Romy Rabbit; and cousins Jenny and Mary Bowman.