Kenneth Dale Downing

Kenneth Dale Downing, age 89, of New Philadelphia, died peacefully early Friday morning, November 4, 2011, in Union Hospital at Dover, following an extended illness. Born at his family home on Front Street at New Philadelphia, September 27, 1922, he was a son of the late Evern and Leona Glee Stacey Downing.Best known as Kenny to his family and friends, he attended school at Roswell before entering the United States Army whereupon he was deployed to the European Theatre. Kenny served as a Tech Sergeant, working as combat engineer, truck driver and mechanic in Patton’s army through 1946, and on two occasions earned a Bronze Star for distinguishing himself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service. He also received the Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. Once back in the Tuscarawas Valley â?? he met and fell in love with the former Lucy Everett. The couple wed November 28, 1946, and would have observed their sixty-fifth wedding anniversary in three weeks. He often referred to Lucy as “the love of his life”.Mr. Downing went to work as the owner and operator of Downing Trucking. Over the years, he went to work for Republic Steel, and ultimately R & F Coal Company, from which he retired as a supervisor in the 1980’s.Active in the community, he was a member of the New Philadelphia First Church of the Nazarene, the VFW Post #1445 at New Philadelphia, and was an active member of the New Philadelphia High School Class of 1946 reunion committee. Although it was his wife’s graduating class, he found himself at home amongst her classmates, organizing events as a reunion committee member for the next sixty years. Kenny will be remembered as an avid fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes. Together with his wife Lucy, he reared a family that includes a daughter, Sharon Kay Downing, who died in infancy, a son; Kenneth Alan Downing of Nelsonville, OH, as well as two daughters; Kathy Lou (husband, Willard) Skaer of Dover, and Sherry Ann (husband, Gregory) Botkin of Midvale. He’ll be sadly missed by his ten grandchildren; Melinda (Scott) Batton of Dover, Richard Alan Downing of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Jason (Maureen “Mo”) Downing of Dover, Charity Ann (Chad) Hockenberry of North Canton, Hope Michelle (Brian) Williams of Seattle, Washington, Natalie Lou (Mark) Stokey of Dover, Braden Dale Skaer and his girlfiend Courtney Spring of Dover, Gregory L. (Danielle) Botkin of New Philadelphia, Alicia Rochelle Botkin of Midvale, and Olivia Ann Botkin of Midvale. Seven great-grandsons, Christian, Jacob, Thomas, Austin, Conner, Bennet and Logan, as well as three great-granddaughters, Mya, Elle and Lucy also survive. A sister, Clara June Downing Canfield of Midvale, Ohio as well as a special nephew, Kenneth Dale (wife, Jamie) Morrison of Strasburg, and a special cousin, Juanita (husband, Ted) Shannon of East Sparta, and numerous cousins, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews who complete the family. In addition to his parents, and infant daughter, Kenny is preceded in death by a great-granddaughter; Flower Hockenberry.Friends are invited to call Monday afternoon from 2-4 and from 6-8PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. The Rev.’s Jason Caddy and Terry Kidd will officiate Mr. Downing’s funeral service Tuesday morning at 10:30 in the New Philadelphia First Church of the Nazarene. Burial with military honors will follow in New Philadelphia’s East Avenue Cemetery. Following the committal service, family and friends will gather for a reception in the church fellowship hall. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Church of the Nazarene 233 Fair Avenue NE New Philadelphia OH 44663, or to Community Hospice, 201 West Third Street, Dover, OH 44622. LINN-HERT-GEIB(330) 343-5506www.geibcares.com