The Albuquerque Journal, 03 Aug 2000
Obituary: Donald N. Downing
Donald N. Downing, 79, passed away on August 1, 2000 at Kaseman Hospital. He was born in Coldwater, Kansas, raised in Wilmore, Kansas and resided in Belen, New Mexico, for the past 14 years.
He served in the U.S. Army during WWII and was a recipient of a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. He was a member of the American Legion, Santa Clara Post.
He retired from San Jose State in the Building and Grounds Department as head carpenter in 1983. Donald loved to be outdoors doing what he liked best, fishing and camping. He also loved all sports, especially the 49ers, which was his favorite football team.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Mary Downing, and two brothers, Orlin and James. He is survived by his devoted wife of 57 years, Clara L.; children, Donna Downing of Stockton, CA, Ronald A. and wife, Flora of San Ramon, CA, Susan Downing Lawson and husband, Randy of Belen; grandchildren, Scott Metzker of Las Vegas, Nevada, Denise Settles of Washington, DC, Brian Metzker or Reno, Nevada, Colene Metzker of Stockton, CA, Donald Downing of San Leandro, CA, Wayne Lawson of Belen, Amiee Downing of Patterson, CA, Lisa Lawson of Belen, Lea Ann Lawson of Belen; and nine great-grandchildren; two sisters, Myrtle Sunderland of Columbus, Ohio and Dorothy Purkey of Wichita, Kansas; two brothers, Edgar and wife, Oletta of Odessa, TX and Robert and wife, Mary of Aiken, SC. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and will be greatly missed by all. A Viewing will be held on Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Romero Funeral Home in Belen, NM. A Funeral Service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at Romero Funeral Home. In Wilmore, Kansas the viewing will be held on Saturday, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., followed by a Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. at the Hatfield Mortuary in Coldwater, KA. Interment will take place in the Wilmore Cemetery in Kansas. Officiating will be Pastor Kent Little. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen, NM.
The Western Star, August 10, 2000. Donald N. Downing
Donald N. Downing, 79, died Aug. 1, 200, at Kaseman Hospital in Albuquerque, N. M.
He was born at Coldwater Jan. 9, 1921, to Marvin and Mary Powell Downing.
Downing was raised in Wilmore, and lived in Belen, N. M. for the past 14 years.
He was a U. S. Army veteran of World War II, earning the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. Retiring in 1983 as head carpenter for the San Jose State Building and Grounds Department, he was a member of the American Legion Post, Santa Clara, Calif.
Downing married Clara L. Castro, 57 years ago; she survives.
In addition to his wife, survivors include: son Ronald A. Downing of San Ramon, Calif.; two daughters, Donna Downing of Stockton, Calif., and Susan Downing Lawson of Belen; two brothers, Edgar Downing of Odessa, Tex., and Robert Downing of Aiken, S. C.; two sisters, Myrtle Sunderland of Columbus, Ohio, and Dorothy Purkey of Wichita; nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Orlin Downing and James Downing.
Funeral was Aug. 5, 2000, at the Hatfield-Prusa Funeral Home in Coldwater, with Rev. Kent Little presiding. Burial was at the Wilmore cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society, Wilmore Federated Church, or Wilmore Community center, all in care of Hatfield-Prusa Funeral Home, Box 417, Coldwater, KS. 67029.
Grave Marker:
DOWNING, Donald N.
January 9, 1921 - August 1, 2000
PFC U.S. ARMY, WORLD WAR II : 'Bronze Star Medal'
Lot #247, Powell Township Cemetery
Wilmore, Comanche County, Kansas.
Obituary: Mary (Powell) Downing, The Wilmore News, May 17, 1933. (Mother of Donald N. Downing.)
James Alonzo Downing, brother of Donald N. Downing.
Marvin Theodore Downing, father of Donald Ned Downing.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above Western Star obituary to this web site!
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