Herbert L. Downey

Herbert L. 'Herb' Downey was born November 12, 1916, in Kansas City, Missouri. He was the son of Carver J. and Gladys I. (Dunlap) Downey. He lived most of his life in rural Franklin and Miami Counties, moving to Ottawa, in Franklin County, Kansas in 1984, where he made his home until his death Wednesday, February 11, 2004, at the age of eighty-seven years. Herb attended schools in Franklin and Miami Counties. He graduated from Maple Grove Jt. Grade School, then attended Rantoul High School. Mr. Downey was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, Ottawa, and former member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Paola. He was a farmer, electrician and Paola Street Commissioner. From 1955 to 1963, he and his wife operated a service station and grocery store on the New Hope Corner of K-68, ten miles east of Ottawa. In 1963, Herb and his wife relocated their business a mile west to the K-68, Rantoul Road Corner, where they owned and operated a service station and recreational vehicle business, retiring in 1980. Following retirement, Herb and his wife spent their winters at Circle-T Park in Rio Grand Valley at Mission, Texas, which they enjoyed for twenty years. In Herb's younger years, he was a Boy Scout leader and coached softball at Peoria. He also enjoyed playing shuffleboard. His greatest enjoyment, however, was spending time with his family and traveling with his wife. On June 7, 1940, Herb was united in marriage with Mary Maxine Savidge at her parent's home in rural Paola. She preceded him in death on August 11, 2001. He is also preceded in death by his parents and sister, Dorothy Mae McCollum. Herb is survived by two sons, Roger Downey and his wife, Dian, of Wellsville, Kansas, Doug Downey and his wife, Brenda, of Gardner, Kansas; sister, Betty Jane Henderson of San Antonio, Texas; brother, Don R. Downey of Spring, Texas; three grandchildren; four step grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; eight step great-grandchildren; and, many nieces and nephews. SERVICES: Graveside services will be held at Pleasant Valley Cemetery 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 14, 2004. OFFICIATING CLERGY: Pastor Earl Zimmerman. IN STATE: Mr. Downey will lie in state at the Dengel & Son Mortuary after 5:00 p.m. Friday to the service hour, where the family will meet with friends 7 to 8:00 Friday evening. CEMETERY: Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Miami County, Kansas. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorials to American Cancer Society, Midland Hospice or Olathe Medical Hospice, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through dengelmortuary@sbcglobal.net.