Ralph Early Downs (1883 - 1976)

DOWNS, WALKER, RALSTON, LEEDOM, DICKS, CHRISTY, SCIESZINSKI, BETTIS, BROOKE, LARSEN

Posted By: DJ Scieszinski
Date: 4/20/2016 at 16:10:57

THE CHARITON HERALD-PATRIOT
Thursday, January 15, 1976

OBITUARY
RALPH EARLY DOWNS, 92, DIES TUESDAY

Ralph Early Downs, 92, died at the Lucas County Memorial Hospital Tuesday, January 13, 1976. He was born July 26, 1883 in Monroe County, Iowa to Edgar S. and Sadie E. Walker Downs.

Owner and operator of Downs Funeral Home in Chariton for 50 years, he was the oldest holder of Iowa Embalmer's and Funeral Director's licenses in the state of Iowa.

He was a member of the Chariton Masonic Lodge for 50 years and secretary of the Chariton Aerie of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, where he had been a member for 29 years.

His first marriage was to Lula Ralston who preceded him in death.

He is survived by his wife, Fern; two daughters, Mrs. Mearl (Grace) Dicks of Walker, Minn., and Mrs. Clyde (Lula Mae) Christy of Albia; 12 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Bart; one daughter, Blanche; and two sisters.

His body will lie in the Downs Funeral Home in Albia until Friday at which time it will be returned to the Chariton Downs Funeral Home.

Masonic services will be held at 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Services will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Chariton with the Rev. Peter Larsen conducting. Burial will be in the Chariton Cemetery.