A Celebration for the life of Vernon Lester McDowell was held at the Carris Family Funeral Home in Perry Iowa on Monday, August 2, 2010.
Otley Masonic Lodge #299, Perry, Iowa held a service on Sunday, August 1, 2010 at 7:00 p. m.
Words of comfort were conducted by Rev. Louis Hoger, Hospice of Central Iowa Chaplain.
Music was provided by Midge Vannatta, who accompanied Meladee Graven and Jean Borgeson as they sang, “Amazing Grace”. Great-grandson, Tyler Parker, sang, “When I Get Where I Am Going”, accompanying himself on his guitar.
Honorary casket bearers were, Cody Ridnour, David Ridnour, Tyler Parker, Brian Miller, Joseph Krause, and Randy Holland. Casket bearers were Kurt Ridnour, Louis Miller, Scott Miller, Johathan Krause, Alexander Harris and Forrest Parker.
Interment was in the Rippey Cemetery, Rippey, Iowa. The Navy Funeral Honors graveside rites were provided by the American Legion Post #85 and Veterans Of Foreign Wars Post #2060.
Vernon L. McDowell age 83, of Perry died on Thursday, July 29, 2010 at Dallas County Hospital in Perry. Funeral services will be held Monday, August 2, 2010, at 1:30 p.m. at Carris Family Funeral Home in Perry. Visitation will be Sunday, August 1, 2010 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with family present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and a Masonic Lodge service at 7:00 p.m. at Carris Family Funeral Home. Memorials may be given to Hospice of Central Iowa and may be left at the Funeral Home.
Vernon Lester McDowell was born on December 19, 1926 at Rippey, IA to Lester Ralph and Delia Alice (Nicholas) McDowell. He graduated from Rippey High School. Following graduation he served in the United States Navy during W.W. II. He married Lois Arlene Pittman on May 16, 1947 at the First Christian Church in Perry. They were married for 63 years. Vernon owned and operated McDowell Auto Service in Dawson, then began working for Perry Community Schools as the Transportation Supervisor until he started working for John Deere Works in Ankeny, IA as a machinist. After retiring from John Deere he worked at Jefferson Transmission in Jefferson, IA for a few years.
Vernon was a member of the First Christian Church and later attended the Rippey and Dawson United Methodist Churches. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #85 and the Otley Masonic Lodge #209 both in Perry. He loved woodworking, working on cars, trucks, pickups, tractors and was still working on them in his dreams. He was a jack of all trades, with many ideas he was still thinking about. He enjoyed flowers, birds, and especially his cat “Winky”.
Vernon was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Delia McDowell, and an infant sister, Donna Jean McDowell.
Survivors include his wife, Lois McDowell of Perry, IA, children, Janice Miller (Louis) of Hortonville, WI, Marilyn Anderson of Dawson, IA, Cheryl Harris of Cedar Rapids, IA, Donna Ridnour (Kurt) of Perry, IA, Rodney McDowell (Rosie) of Des Moines, IA and Julie Holland (Randy) of Perry, IA, grandchildren, Shelly Parker (Forrest), Scott Miller, Melissa Radditz (Austin), Joseph Krause (Flora), Sarah Krause, Jonathan Krause (Cassie), Alexander Harris, Sarah Ridnour, Cody Ridnour, David Ridnour, Jason McDowell (Michelle), Brenda Miller (Brian), Alex Hoffman, Emily Hoffman, Kelsey Holland and Kayla Holland, 14 great grandchildren, his twin sister, Verda Kever of Granger, IA, brother, Daryl “Brownie” McDowell of Jamaica, IA and many other relatives and friends.