John R. Downing, 85, of Gagetown died following a long illness Wednesday, April 22, 2015 in Northwood Meadows Medical Care Unit, Cass City. He was born November 25, 1929 at home in Gagetown to Wesley and Agatha (Walsh) Downing. He married his lifelong partner, Harriet Margaret Russell June 30, 1956 in Gagetown. They were married 58 years. They lived most of their lives in Gagetown, and the past 4 1/2 years at Northwood Meadows Assisted Living in Cass City.
Jack served in the U.S. Air Force for four years, stationed in Alaska for almost three years. He spent many years dedicated to his work for the U.S. Government as a Rural Mail Carrier in Gagetown and Cass City. Jack was a lifelong member of St. Agatha Catholic Church in Gagetown. He enjoyed reading history, discussing politics and current events and was dedicated to his family. Jack was a loving, caring father and grandfather who was always there to lend an ear or a hand to a family member or a friend in need of a guiding voice. Some of his most favorite moments in recent years were those spent with his beloved grandchildren.
Jack is survived by his wife, Harriet; children: Gregory (Kelly) Downing of Washington, D.C., Kevin (Cindy) Downing of Highlands Ranch, CO, Kimberly (John Dedrick) Downing of Lebanon, OH; grandchildren: Kelsey, Jacqueline, Madeline, Eleanor, Abigail and Alexander; sisters-in-law: Betty Russell of Cass City, Joyce Downing of Muskegon, Eulah Downing of Bay City; many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his brothers: Robert Downing, Richard Downing, Tom Downing, Jim Downing, Bill Downing, Paul Downing and Jerry Downing; sisters: Genevieve Freiburger and Joan Doyen; granddaughter, Mara Downing; and his parents, Wesley and Agatha Downing.
Funeral service held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 25, 2015 in Our Lady Consolata Parish, St. Agatha Catholic Church, Gagetown with Rev. Christian Tabares officiating. Interment will be in St. Agatha Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Northwood Meadows or Alzheimer's Association Greater Michigan, 25200 Telegraph Road, Suite 100, Southfield, MI 48033. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com.
Visitation: 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 24, 2015 in Kranz Funeral Home - Cass City
Arrangements by
Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, Michigan
Debra L. Kranz (989) 872-2195
Jack served in the U.S. Air Force for four years, stationed in Alaska for almost three years. He spent many years dedicated to his work for the U.S. Government as a Rural Mail Carrier in Gagetown and Cass City. Jack was a lifelong member of St. Agatha Catholic Church in Gagetown. He enjoyed reading history, discussing politics and current events and was dedicated to his family. Jack was a loving, caring father and grandfather who was always there to lend an ear or a hand to a family member or a friend in need of a guiding voice. Some of his most favorite moments in recent years were those spent with his beloved grandchildren.
Jack is survived by his wife, Harriet; children: Gregory (Kelly) Downing of Washington, D.C., Kevin (Cindy) Downing of Highlands Ranch, CO, Kimberly (John Dedrick) Downing of Lebanon, OH; grandchildren: Kelsey, Jacqueline, Madeline, Eleanor, Abigail and Alexander; sisters-in-law: Betty Russell of Cass City, Joyce Downing of Muskegon, Eulah Downing of Bay City; many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his brothers: Robert Downing, Richard Downing, Tom Downing, Jim Downing, Bill Downing, Paul Downing and Jerry Downing; sisters: Genevieve Freiburger and Joan Doyen; granddaughter, Mara Downing; and his parents, Wesley and Agatha Downing.
Funeral service held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 25, 2015 in Our Lady Consolata Parish, St. Agatha Catholic Church, Gagetown with Rev. Christian Tabares officiating. Interment will be in St. Agatha Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Northwood Meadows or Alzheimer's Association Greater Michigan, 25200 Telegraph Road, Suite 100, Southfield, MI 48033. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com.
Visitation: 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 24, 2015 in Kranz Funeral Home - Cass City
Arrangements by
Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, Michigan
Debra L. Kranz (989) 872-2195
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