Don Downing 1871-1947

DOWNING, LEECH, WESTPHAL, YOUNT, KEGLEY, BROWNELL

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 7/10/2021 at 07:50:06

9 January 1947 - The Anamosa Journal

Funeral service for Don Arnold "Dad" Downing, 75, were held Monday afternoon at the Smykil Home for Funerals. Mr. Downing died Jan. 4, at University hospital, Iowa City, where he was under medical treatment.

Pioneer business and civic leader in Anamosa, Mr. Downing was born March 4, 1871, at Galesburg, Ill.

He was married June 17, 1896, to Miss Jennie A. Leech at Galesburg and they made their home there until Swift & Co. sent him to Cedar Rapids as manager of a newly opened packing plant in 1900.

In 1903 the family moved to Anamosa where he associated with Joe E. Tyler in the meat and grocery business. The partnership existed until Mr. Downing's death.

Mr. and Mrs. Downing were the parents of five children, three of whom survive. They are L. A. "Bud" Downing, Anamosa; Mrs. Ruth Yount, Anamosa, and Mrs. Theora Louise Westphal, Olin. Seven grandchildren are Miss Betty Kegley, Ruth Ann Kegley, Peggy Downing, Don Andrew Downing, Don Paul Westphal, Marvin Arnold Westphal and Roma Jean Westphal. Two daughters, Jean, and Helen, Mrs. Richard Brownell, died in 1938 and 1941 respectively.

Mr. and Mrs. Downing celebrated their golden wedding on June 17, 1946. He was a member of the Masonic order and the Knights of Pythias. For 21 years he served as a member of the Anamosa Board of Education and was a Jones county supervisor for eight years. During his lifetime he accepted and carried out many civic responsibilities.

Rev. Walter D. Wigger officiated at the funeral rites. Masonic lodge rites were also accorded Mr. Downing.

Pallbearers were William Folkerts, Grant Eihlers, Charles Tyler, Richard Nickels, Clarence B. Jessen and Frank L. Stoughton.

Honorary pallbearers were Cifford Niles, William Vincent, Robert LaChapelle, William Thompson, Joe E. Tyker and B. E. Rhinehart.

Burial was made in Riverside cemetery.