Chester Leroy Dowden, 97, of West Liberty, was called to his Heavenly Home on December 1, 2024, eleven days shy of his 98th birthday.
Leroy is survived by his wife of 79 years, Faith Elinor; two daughters, Sharon Hanger and Carol (Weldon) Jordan; former son-in-law Jeff Lange. Also surviving are grandchildren Jason Miller, Nikki (Mike) Moscinski, Holly Maier, Kirk Knott, Caryn Dowden, Thomas (Erica) Jordan, Dustin Lange, Ryan (April) Lange, and Angela Savage; great-grandchildren Corey (Carmen) Henderson, C.J. Miller, Melanie (Alexander Theobald) Miller, Miranda and Samantha Moscinski, Zach (Kelly) Maier, Claire Maier, Gabi (Travis) Davidson, Tyler and Trent Knott, Richard Dowden, Ellie and Riley Jordan, Norah, Jace, Oliver and Burke Lange, Ava Lange, Jalyn Lange; and great-great-grandchildren Camdyn, Aiden, Christian, Jaxxon, Bella, and Rosaleigh; and many nieces and nephews.
Leroy was preceded in death by his parents Otho & Abigail (Taylor) Dowden, as well as his great-aunt & uncle, John & Leah (Taylor) Kennedy, who raised him. Also preceding are his siblings Leslie (Lois) Dowden, Audrey Horn, Lois Pollock, Martha Thompson, and Eunice Recher; son-in-law Chuck Hanger, daughter Bertie Lange, and son Richard Dowden; grandsons Brian Miller and Jasen Lange.
Leroy served in the Army during WWII, training at Camp Maxey in Texas. He was on the way to Korea when the war ended.
Leroy had a few jobs over the years: farming, Hopewell Dairy, Airstream, Gillespie Oil, and Culligan. After he retired, he and Elinor were so active that he once said “he didn’t know how they had time to work”. He and Elinor volunteered at Mary Rutan Hospital for over 25 years, receiving accolades from the Governor of Ohio. They continued their volunteer work at Green Hills, making many new memories with neighbors and friends. He liked to joke around with people, telling jokes, and being his very ornery self.
Leroy was a family man who enjoyed camaraderie and fellowship while playing cards. He and Faith enjoyed going to the grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s many sporting events. They loved to sing. Sometimes, he would just start singing a ditty and Elinor would join in. They were also members of the kitchen band at Green Hills.
Leroy loved woodworking, He made a beautiful roll-top desk, a clock to showcase his miniature John Deere tractors, and many other beautiful pieces.
They were very active at both churches, Hopewell Methodist, where they met during youth fellowship and were later married, and Vineyard Christian Fellowship, singing in the choir and going on mission trips, just to name a few. They even went whitewater rafting and made many lifelong friends along the way, some who he is now rejoicing with in Heaven. That is what we are leaning on now, that we will see him again!
Pastor Eric Cook will officiate a funeral service 1 p.m. Monday, December 9, at Jennings Farley & Seeley Funeral Home and Crematory 5591 US Highway 68 South West Liberty, Ohio 43357. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Leroy’s name to the Vineyard Christian Fellowship.
