Published: October 29, 2009 10:21 am      

Wiley McDowell

May 25, 1912-Oct. 27, 2009

Wiley McDowell, 97, died Tuesday at Greencroft Healthcare, Goshen.

He was born May 25, 1912, near Morley, Mich. to Henry and Della (Yoder) McDowell. After the death of his mother, he was raised by the Levi Schrock family of Nappanee. Wiley graduated from Nappanee High School in 1930.

He married Esther Beechy in 1935. They lived most of their married life in Sugarcreek, Ohio. After nearly 73 years of marriage, she died March 6, 2009. He retired from The Budget, a weekly newspaper published in Sugarcreek. They moved to Greencroft Retirement Community in Goshen in 1990.

Wiley was a poet and a wood carver by avocation. He was an active volunteer for many years with a variety of community and church organizations. He was a member of College Mennonite Church, Goshen, after many active years in the First Mennonite Church, Sugarcreek, Ohio.

Wiley is survived by a son, John E. (B.J.) McDowell, Plainfield, Ohio; a daughter, Barbara E. (George) Smucker, Goshen; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Russel, Gail and Paul; foster sister, Elva May Schrock Roth; and his foster brother, Elden R. Schrock.

Visitation will take place from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Friday at The Meetinghouse at Greencroft Healthcare. A prayer service will follow at 3:30 p.m. with the pastors Betty and Lee Hochstetler officiating.

The family requests no flowers. Memorials may be given to Goshen College Mennonite Historical Library Endowment Fund or to College Mennonite Church Jubilee Fund.

Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, Goshen, is assisting with the arrangements.