Dorothy J. Downs, 94, died on Monday, October 18, 2021 at Meadowbrook Health Center in Urbana.
Dorothy was born on March 20, 1927 in Dewey, IL to Arthur and Opal (Kesler) Miner. She married James “Kenny” Downs on February 19, 1947 in Urbana.
She is survived by two children, Carole (John) Brodbeck and Jim (Barb) Downs; 8 grandchildren, Jeff (Jodi) Brodbeck, Jared (Karen) Brodbeck, Doug (Dawn) Downs, Rob (Amy) Downs, Kent (Alicia) Downs, Kevin (Beth) Downs, Kelly (Tom) Cletzer, and Kurt (Amy) Downs; 22 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Ruth Kidd and Carolyn Adams.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Opal Miner; her husband, Kenny Downs; one son, Dave Downs; and one daughter-in-law, Janece Downs.
Dorothy worked as the township assessor in Broadlands for a while, but for the majority of her life she helped her husband farm and raised her family. She loved to sew and knit, and made many of her children’s clothes as they were growing up. Dorothy enjoyed spending many hours in her garden and canning everything that she could. She also enjoyed exercising, reading, and listening to music. Dorothy was a member of the Savoy United Methodist Church and the Broadlands United Community Church.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, October 22, 2021 at the Joines Funeral Home (Newman) with Pastor Trevor Oetting officiating. Burial will follow at the Fairfield Cemetery. A visitation will be held an hour prior to the funeral service (10 – 11 a.m.) at the funeral home. Joines Funeral Home (Newman) is assisting the family with arrangements.
Memorial donations may be made to the Savoy United Methodist Church or the Broadlands United Community Church.
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