Tony R. Biswell “ Biz”, 58 years young, of Bowen, Illinois, passed away peacefully on July 25th, 2026, at 3:16 a.m. at Blessing Hospital.

Tony was born on June 14th, 1968. He is the son of the late Lynn Henry Biswell and Marlene and Walter Carrier.

Survivors include Michelle Conkle, the true love of his life for the last 30 years. His children, Trevor Conkle (Dany) of Quincy, Illinois, Emily Biswell (Chevy Shaffer) of Ferris, Illinois and Olivia Biswell of Fort Madison, Iowa. and a beloved dog Rosie.

Other survivors include one brother, Larry Biswell, 3 sisters; Carole Biswell, Debbie Carrier, and Tonya Corey.

Tony was preceded in death by his parents, one sister Wendy Akers, one Brother Daryl Biswell. Several special friends Shorty Poling, Mark Kleemeyer, James Turner and his four legged best friend Dottie Ann.

Tony was a graduate of Southeastern High School in Augusta, Illinois, Class of 1987. After graduation, he joined the Illinois National Guard.

After his time in the service he had several different jobs, most significant to him was his career with C-Tec Ag, where he traveled the states doing different kinds of concrete work. After C-tec he worked at a hog farm outside of Denver Illinois where he was awarded an achievement for his dedication and production after only two short months of employment. The job that earned him the most fame was when he worked for Sullivan and Son Auction and made many friends.

The most important thing to Tony was his family. He was a very proud father of his 3 children and cherished them and their mother. If you ever ran into him he would tell you just how proud he was of them and how much he loved them. He wasn’t always easy but he was always the proudest man in the room when it came to his family.

He was mostly known for his avid adventures and story telling. You could put him in a room of strangers and he would always find a way to make a connection with them. Everyone who knew him could tell you a story that probably ended wildly. To know him and love him went hand in hand. He was self taught tinkerer and had a wild collection of different metal signs that hung on the fence outside of his home that brought in several crowds of people. He even sold a few things to American Pickers.

Tony will be deeply missed every day but lovingly remembered forever. Though he may no longer walk beside us, his spirit will live on in every shared story, every get together, and through the countless lives he touched. May Tony be remembered for always being the strongest and loudest man in any room. His personality is one that will never be replaced. He walked to the beat of his own drum and didn’t apologize for it. 

Funeral Services for Tony will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 31, 2026, at the J. Otto Funeral Home in Mendon, Illinois. Chaplain Gunther Cross to officiate. Interment will be at the New Loraine Cemetery in Loraine, Illinois. Military honors will be presented by the United States Army Funeral Honors Team and the Bear Creek American Legion Post #823.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at the J. Otto Funeral Home in Mendon, Illinois. Memorial contributions may be made to the family.