Services for Leon S. McDowell were held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 22 at the First Christian Church in Perry. Visitation was after 1 p.m. Wednesday, with family present from 4 p.m. at Hasting Funeral Home in Perry.
A Masonic service was held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with Frank Coulter presiding. Rev. Andrea Brownlee provided words of comfort. Honorary bearers were Craig McDowell, Howard Heaton, John Roberts, Bill Salmon, Chuck and Dina Hastings, Bill Kempf and the Otley Masonic Lodge #299 Brothers.
Casket bearers were Austin McDowell, Ben McDowell, Ashley Wheeldon, Emma McDowell, Kari Martin and David McDowell. Don Thomas and Darrell Bever were the ushers. Donna Emmert was the pianist. Rev. Deb Parkison was the soloist. She sang “How Great Thou Art” and “The Lord’s Prayer.”
Interment took place at Violet Hill Cemetery in Perry, with military rites by the Iowa Army National Guard Funeral Honors, American Legion Post #85 and VFW Post #5060. Jody Elliott played the bagpipes.
Following the services at the cemetery, a luncheon was served at the First Christian Church.
Leon Samuel McDowell, son of John McDowell and Emma Jean Martin McDowell, was born May 21, 1933 in Rippey, Iowa, and died Sept. 17, 2016, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa, at the age of 83.
Leon was the youngest of twin boys born in the family of four boys and one girl.
He graduated from Rippey High School in 1950.
On May 6, 1951 Leon and Donna Mae Little were united in marriage at the First Christian Church in Perry. They made their home in Perry, living at 1807 Fifth St.
Leon was working for Bud Ervin when he was inducted into the U.S. Army April 2, 1953. Leon served in Germany during the Korean conflict. He was a member of Company H 2nd Armored Calvary, where he applied his mechanical abilities in vehicle maintenance.
After his honorable discharge March 21, 1955, Leon returned home to his wife and baby daughter, DiAnn. They later received their second blessing with son, Danny Joe.
The couple purchased their current home at 909 W. Second St.
It should be mentioned that Leon worked with his brother J.D. at his Phillips 66 gas station and worked for the Ford garage in Perry, with I.J. Burk as his last employer there.
Leon started his career at the U.S. Postal Service in Perry and was honored for his 30 years of service. He was a member of the National Association of Letter Carriers. Leon was a much loved and admired letter carrier, walking mile after mile. Even while very ill in Des Moines after his fall, he was quoting addresses and the occupants!
After his retirement, he started working part time for Hastings Funeral Home in January 1994. Leon’s gentle character, willingness to help others and respect for all was a true blessing for Chuck and Dina and all of the staff.
Leon was an active member of First Christian Church, where he served as Deacon and Elder. He was a faithful member, rarely missing Sunday school or worship services.
Likewise, he was a dedicated Mason, a loyal member of Otley Lodge #299, where he was Master in 1992. Leon was a member of the Masonic Consistery in Des Moines.
He was also a lifetime member of the American Legion.
As a friend, Leon was the best. He was loved and admired by so many. There were so many jobs he would do for anyone who needed help, whether it be a ceiling fan, door opener or just being there. Through the years, Leon and Donna drove countless friends and acquaintances to appointments, visited the sick and nursing home residents. He was an advocate for many years at the Perry Lutheran Home and volunteered at the Rowley Masonic Home.
Leon enjoyed cards, board games and hopefully Bingo because he helped others play for many years.
Together, Leon and Donna enjoyed traveling. As their children lived out of state, they would drive those many miles to visit.
They were members of a pinocle club, and they enjoyed their trips to the casino. Their home was also a gathering place for friends to visit and play games.
Above all, Leon loved and was loved by his family. How much can one say about this prince of a man? Not enough, I’m sure. He was a doting husband to Donna, supporting her at all times. Leon was a wonderful father, always doing all he could for his children.
He was steady, strong and true.
Leon was non-judgmental, generous, proud and adoring of his family. His grandchildren were precious to him, and he looked forward to the times he spent with them. Although they lived far away, they were always in his heart and mind.
Someone who lived near was Libby Hastings, and she thought of him as another grandfather. They had a special bond, and she is the lucky one. Leon and Donna attended all of her activities, and for sure his own grandchildren were in his thoughts.
These grandchildren are Erica Martin, who died in 2009, Kari Martin, Ashley Wheeldon, Emma McDowell, Austin McDowell and Ben McDowell. Five great-grandchildren brought much joy to Leon: Skyler Houser, Mason Houser, Raelyn Wheeldon, Aydan McDowell and Keaton McDowell.
Leon was preceded in death by his parents; precious granddaughter, Erica Martin; his twin brother, Leonard McDowell; brothers, Ralph McDowell, and wife, Enid, and J.D. McDowell, and wife, Janice.
Leon is survived by his wife, Donna Mae McDowell of Perry; daughter, DiAnn Martin of Aberdeen, N.C.; son, Danny (Kim) McDowell of Tucson, Ariz.; five grandchildren, Kari Martin, Ashley Wheeldon, Emma McDowell, Austin (Chantel) McDowell and Benjamin McDowell; five great-grandchildren, Skyler Houser, Mason Houser, Raelyn Wheeldon, Aydan McDowell and Keaton McDowell; sister, Virginia (Bernie) Wernli of Norwalk; and sister-in-law, Mary Jane McDowell of Killeen, Texas.
