Heather Dawn

Heather Dawn, of Utica, was taken to heaven at the young age of 26, on Thursday, July 27, 2023, tragically following a motor vehicle accident the day before her wedding to the love of her life.

Funeral services will be held 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 2nd at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home in Ottawa, with Christopher Godsted officiating.  Visitation will be from Noon to 3:00 p.m.

Heather was born May 16, 1997 in Ottawa, Illinois, to Kayla (Baker) Bockelman.  Heather is survived by her adoring fiancé, Adam Walker Rowe; their precious daughter, Cecelia “Lia” Dawn Mae Rowe; and her proud mother; Kayla and Anthony Bockelman.  She also leaves brothers, Thomas Campbell and Joseph (Kelly) Campbell; a sister, Savannah Forsyth; sister and brother-in-law to be, Noah and Sam Rowe; as well as “sisters by choice” Boothang Sara Robertson, Taylor Holocker, Caitlyn Carrico, and Katie Sittig. Survivors also include her maternal grandmother, Debra K. Baker; paternal grandparents Patrick and Donna Bayer; great-grandfather, Richard Bayer; great-grandmother Eileen Bayer; future mother and father-in-law Ralph and Diana Rowe; future great-grandfather Ralph Edward Rowe; as well as many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and extended family members whom Heather loved dearly.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Albert E. Baker, who proudly honored her as “Favorite Granddaughter” and she joins him in heaven just months after his passing; great grandparents Donald & Kay P. Schmitt and Henry & Gladys Stanford; great aunts and uncle Randall and Colleen Hoar and Tressa Beers; grandmother-to-be, Cecelia Rowe; paternal grandparents to-be Walker and Alma Sparrow; and a niece, Juniper Robertson.

Heather was a graduate of Ottawa High School, Class of 2015 and continued her education as a cosmetologist and graduate of Educators of Beauty. This enabled her passion to help others look and feel their best. She was currently a team member at LaSalle State Bank.

She boldly led and encouraged her brothers, and her “Anthony” to be the best they could be. Along with those relationships and the many she had with those that loved her, she was intentional about speaking the truth in love and not being ashamed of her opinion and advice for others. She truly wanted people to be comfortable with who they are, as she did herself. She may have been blunt and to the point but her intentions were to show the world that it was best to be yourself and not to apologize for it.

She forever took pride in her appearance and natural beauty and had a smile that lit up any room and beautiful eyes that you could see from a mile away. The most valued joy was spending time with her family. She met the love of her life and a fellow Star Wars aficionado, Adam Rowe to whom she devoted her life along with their daughter “Lia” and their three dogs, Shae, Findley and Freyja. She also was intentional and grateful for the close and best friendship she had with her Mom, whom referred to Heather as “My Pretty” and spent time with her daily. She also enjoyed reading, thrifting and doing craft projects with her Crikut, especially the ones she would gift to others. She was an encourager to all and loved to beautify everything and everyone she could. She felt the biggest blessing in her life was meeting Adam and sharing their life in their new home in Utica, where their dreams of raising Lia together came true.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family for a trust fund to be established for her baby girl and legacy, Cecelia “Lia” Dawn Mae.