William Wayne "Red" McDowell

William Wayne “Red” McDowell, age 100 of Mattoon, IL passed away at 9:52 AM, Friday, February 9, 2024, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon, IL. A funeral service in his honor will be held at 1:00 PM, Thursday, February 15, 2024, at Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, IL 61938. Pastor Tom Skinner is officiating. A committal will immediately follow at Dodge Grove Cemetery in Mattoon, IL. Military Rites will be conducted by the Mattoon VFW Post 4325. The visitation will be held from 11:00 AM until the time of service at the funeral home. Wayne was born on June 23, 1923, in Mattoon, IL to the late Ray McDowell and Mabel (Reagin) McDowell. He married Martha Elizabeth Henson on December 8, 1946; she preceded him in death January 11, 2019. He is survived by one daughter, Marcia McDowell Harmon of Mattoon, IL; one granddaughter, Donna Jeannette Bean of Mattoon, IL; one brother, Don McDowell of Mattoon, IL; and special niece, Penny McDowell of Mattoon, IL. He was preceded in death by one son-in-law, Michael Harmon, and siblings: Bob McDowell, Marge McDowell Ganley, Dorothy McDowell Easter, Jim McDowell, Lyle McDowell, and Roberta McDowell. Wayne honorably served his country in the United States Army. For many years he was employed at the United States Postal Service in Mattoon, IL where he retired after many years of dedicated service. A skilled artisan, Mr. McDowell had the hobby of making and repairing watches. He was a lifetime member of the Americal Division Newsletter, and Mattoon VFW Post 4325. His love for animals was evident, he had a beloved chihuahua named Peanut and three cats named Heathcliff, Sonic, and Precious Sonja which meant the world to him. When he was younger, he enjoyed pitching horseshoes with his friends. He also enjoyed watching RFD-TV and the Game Show Network, Country music and was a longtime friend of “Whisperin” Bill Anderson, playing solitaire and card games which was a form of worship for him. He was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. Our rock, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, you will be deeply missed by all. Memorial donations in his honor may be given to the family. Please visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com or www.facebook.com/mitchelljerdanfuneralhome to light a virtual candle in his honor or share a memory with the family.

Tributes

William Wayne "Red" McDowell

June 23, 1923 - February 9, 2024