Carl W Downen

Carl W. Downen, 99, passed away April 23, 2015 at Ben Hur Nursing Home.

He was born Feb. 7, 1916 on a farm near Shelburn, Indiana, to Ceryl B. and Ethel (Ford) Downen. He attended a 1-room school in Hymera for 2 years. He was a graduate of Sullivan High School and Purdue University School of Agriculture.

On Aug. 2, 1941, he married Margaret Budde at St. James Lutheran Church, in Lafayette.

He was a salesman for Consolidated Products Co., travelling in Indiana, Wisconsin and Ohio before entering the Army in 1943. While in the Army he was a Combat Medic in France, and at the beginning of The Battle of the Bulge, he was taken prisoner by German soldiers, and spent 6 months in Stalag 4-B.

After returning from W.W. II, he again worked for the same company in Ohio, until becoming a partner in B. & D. Lumber Co. for several years. He also had a construction company, Downen Building Service.

In 1967, he and his wife purchased and operated McFarland & Miller Monument Co. (now Crawfordsville Monument Co.) until retirement in 1985. He and Margaret then joined "Laborers for Christ", a volunteer organization, helping build Lutheran churches in Colorado, Texas, Utah and Kentucky.

Carl was an active charter member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, and a member of VFW, American Legion, Hospital Auxiliary, and former member of Lions' Club. For many years he delivered Meals on Wheels, and served as a "Red Coat" at Culver and St. Clare Hospitals for many years. In 2011, he went on an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.

He enjoyed traveling, reading, playing cards, wood-working, and he completed and framed many jigsaw puzzles. He especially enjoyed being with his family. He was a kind and generous man, respected by all who knew him.

Surviving with his wife are two daughters: Karla Hill of Quincy, IL, and Janet (Fred) Clements of Crawfordsville; 8 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren; sister, Doris Branstetter of Crawfordsville, and brother, John (Zina) Downen of Madeira Beach, FL.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Alyce Baker; brother, Earl Downen; and sisters, Martha Eiche and Ruth Ann Garlic.

Visiting will be held Sunday, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., at Powers-Priebe Funeral Home, 315 S. Washington St., Crawfordsville.

Funeral services will be Monday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1414 E. Wabash Ave. at 11:00 a.m., with visiting one hour prior to the service. Reverends Steven Shank and Alfred Hellert will officiate. Burial will follow with military rites at Oak Hill North Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1414 E. Wabash Ave., or to the Montgomery Co. Community Foundation, P.O. Box 334, Crawfordsville, Indiana.