Robert F. McDowell

Robert F. McDowell
September 11, 1924 - December 23, 2011
Keota, Iowa
Visitation: 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. December 26, 2011 at United Church of Faith
Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m. December 27, 2011 at United Church of Faith
Interment: December 27, 2011 at Keota Cemetery
Robert F. McDowell, age 87, of Keota, died Friday, December 23, 2011, at his home. Bob was born on September 11, 1924, in rural Keota, to Gerald J. and Vera (Hagist) McDowell. He graduated from Kinross High School in 1941 and attended Parsons College in Fairfield for two years before entering the U.S. Army. Bob served in the European Theatre during WWII and received a Purple Heart. When he returned from the service he graduated from Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant. On July 11, 1948, he married Elnora Miner at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. The couple lived and farmed in the Keota community. Bob was a 50 year member of the United Church of Faith. He served as the Building Chairman during construction of the current church in 1963. He also was a member of Farmers Masonic Lodge in Kinross, a founding member of Lagos Acres Country Club, was President of 76 Ltd, and served as Vice Chair of Farmland Industries Board of Directors. He served the Iowa Turkey Federation as president in 1962, served on the Board of Directors for Nationwide Insurance, the Keota Community School Board for 15 years, including 9 years as President, was a member of the Keota Development Group, was President of the Kewash Railroad Group, as well as the Farmer's Cooperative Association, and a co-owner of the Golden Buckle. Bob enjoyed playing softball, boating, traveling in his motor home, golfing and spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Survivors include a daughter: Gina Bennett and husband Kelly of Keota; a son: Gerry McDowell and wife Irene of Kalona; three grandchildren: Andrea (John) Morris and Christopher Bennett, all of Keota and Laura McDowell of Kalona; two great grandchildren: Owen and Jake Morris of Keota; a brother: John E. McDowell and wife Marjorie of Mount Pleasant; two nieces: Janette Zuk and Joan Coan; one nephew: Scott McDowell and special friend Joyce Belcher of Wellman. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife: Elnora on November 16, 2002 and a nephew: Bradley John McDowell. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 27, 2011, at the United Church of Faith in Keota, with Rev. Dennis Hopes officiating. Burial will be at Keota Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Monday, December 26, 2011, at the church. A memorial fund has been established for the United Church of Faith, Lagos Acres or Hospice of Washington County. Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Keota is caring for Bob and his family. Condolences may be e-mailed at www.powellfuneralhomes.com under obituaries.