Francis Lee McDowell 1920-2003

GROFF, MCDOWELL, PROHASKA

Posted By: Lori Clark
Date: 5/28/2003 at 11:40:19

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service
Iowa City – 319-338-1132

Iowa City Press Citizen – Paid & Picture
The Gazette – Paid & Picture

Francis Lee McDowell age 82 of Iowa City died on Friday, May 23, 2003 following a sudden illness at Mercy Medical Center in Clinton, Iowa. Graveside funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 3, 2003 at the Wellman Cemetery, Wellman, Iowa. Visitation will be on Monday from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Gay and Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. Memorials may be given to the Autism Society of Iowa. Online condolences may be sent to his family @www.gayandciha.com
Francis was born on October 31, 1920 on a farm in Greene Township, northwest of Wellman the son of Thomas B and Anna Groff McDowell. He attended rural schools and married Esther Prohaska on January 15, 1966 in Iowa City. Francis worked in shipping and receiving at the computer center for the University of Iowa. His passion was rocks and he was a member of the Old Capital Gem and Mineral Club in Iowa City.

His family includes two sons Randall McDowell of Kansas, Jim McDowell of Illinois, one daughter Nancy Castro of Illinois, four grandchildren, one great- grandson and two great- granddaughters, and friends Dan and Gloria Sheldon of Clinton, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Esther, two sister in infancy, a son Duane McDowell and sister in-law Sue McDonald. The Gay and Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City are Caring for Francis’s services and his family.