DOWNEY, Oscar M. 1876-1937

DOWNEY, MORRISON

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 1/31/2022 at 14:21:04

Oscar Downey Dies Friday At Waterloo Hospital

Oscar Downey died at a Waterloo hospital at ten o'clock Friday night from cancer of the stomach. His health began to fail about a year ago. His decline was quite rapid during the past three months. He closed his barber shop in Morrison about three months ago when he felt physically unable to remain at work. He went to the Waterloo hospital about a month ago, where everything that was possible to do to lessen his suffering was done for him.

At an early age he came to Morrison, Iowa, to work with his brother on a farm. Later he established his barber shop in Morrison, which he maintained until his death October 29, 1937.

The body was brought to the Coffman funeral home in Grundy Center early Friday morning where it remained until the funeral services which were held in the Presbyterian church at Morrison Monday afternoon. The services were conducted by Rev. J. B. Bird, pastor of the Methodist church at Grundy Center. Burial was in the Morrison cemetery, in charge of the Masonic Order.

Russell Kruse sang "Abide With Me" and "Lead, Kindly Light." He was accompanied by Miss Myrtle Robinson at the piano.

Six nephews were pallbearers: Lyle and Lowell Lynch, Vernon and Ivan Morrill, Harold and Wayne Downey.

Those attending the funeral from out of town were the daughter and family, Mr. and Mrs. Robt. Myers and son of South Ben, Ind.; Mrs. J. W. Dick-Peddie of St. Louis, Mo.; Mr. and Mrs. Donald Fager and Mrs. Harry Fager, Adeline, Ill.; Mrs. Laurence Reed of Polo, Ill.; Mrs. Belle Lynch and Lowell Lynch of Waterloo; Lyle Lynch of Clear Lake, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Morrill and baby daughter of Palmer, Ia.; Mrs. Irvin Bramson of Traer; Mr. and E. H. Reimers and Gleo Mooty of Cedar Falls; Mr. and Mrs. Harry Philpot of Cedar Falls.

Obituary
Oscar Merton Downey, son of Samuel L. and Susan C. Downey, was born on a farm near Adeline, Ogle county, Illinois, April 2, 1876.

He received his education in the schools at Adeline, Rockford, and the School of Music at Dixon, Ill.

On July 23, 1895, he was united in marriage to Edith Morrison. To this union was born one daughter, Mrs. Robert Myers, now of South Bend, Indiana.

He is survived by his widow, the daughter, one grandson, Robert Downey Meyers, and two sisters, Mrs. George Morrill of Morrison and Mrs. Belle Lynch of Waterloo. One brother, Herbert Downey, preceded him in death, passing away in 1917.

Mr. Downey was a lover of the better things in life, good books and the best in music. He himself was a musician of much merit.

He was a member of the Masonic Order of Grundy Center.

During his recent illness Mr. Downey displayed a courage remarkable considering the suffering which he endured. Never once did he lose patience, or this courage, and to those who were privileged to be with him to the last he proved himself an inspiration.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 4 November 1937, pg 12