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1922 - 2012
 Rev. Kendall C. Downing, age 90 of Sheridan, passed away Tuesday June 12, 2012 at Sheridan Community Hospital. He was born a few minutes after midnight on June 11, 1922 on a farm north of Rosebush, Michigan, the son of Chancey W. and Myrtle L. Chamberlain Downing. On August 19, 1943, he married Lillian Annette Deitrich on the lawn of her parents home in Perrinton while on leave from the United States Navy. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Eldon L. and Eugene; sisters, Gloria L. Downing in infancy and Barbara Gager; his infant children, Kendall C. Downing II and Annette L. Downing; his son, Rev. John E. Downing; and his sister-in-law, Donna Downing. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Lillian A. Downing; children, Stephen P. (Cathy Thebo) Downing of Caledonia, Kathy (Peter) Jeppesen of Stanton, and Patsy K. Downing of Lake, MI; daughter-in-law, Cheryl Downing of Owosso; grandchildren, Major Jason and Major Melissa Simmons with the US Air Force in Florida, Dawn Pennock of Crystal, William (Lee Ann) Downing of Owosso, Sgt. Daniel (Diana) Downing of Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, CA, Julie (Dr. Joshua) Drumm of Philadelphia, PA, Ashley (Ben) Ewing of Frankfort, Stephen T. (Amanda) Downing of Caledonia, and Shawnee (Nick Henry) Downing of Portage; great-grandchildren, Rebecka and Nicholas Pennock, Logan, Abagail, Christian, and Isabella Downing, Lillian Rose Simmons, Dominik Downing, and Olivia Ewing; brother, Jack (June) Downing of St. Johns; sister, Glenna (Edward) Miller of Ionia; brother-in-law, Andrew Gager of Middleton; and many nieces and nephews. Pastor Downing proudly served in the US Navy Air Corps with the 3rd Fleet in the Pacific from 1942 to 1945 and was a disabled veteran of World War II. He was a member of the Flat River 106 Disabled American Veterans of Greenville, a member and past Post Commander of the Lester J. Sitts VFW Post 5065 in Sheridan, and a member of the American Legion Post 0452 in Stanton. He was also a member of the St. Johns United Church of Christ in Owosso and the Stanton Star Lodge 260 of the Masons. He graduated from Fulton High School, class of 1940. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Central Michigan University in 1959, a Master of Divinity degree from Drew University in 1963, and a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from CMU in 1973, where he also studied additional coursework toward a PhD. He was ordained in East Lansing by then Bishop Reed on his 41st birthday, June 11, 1963. He served over 50 years in the Christian ministry as a pastor, including churches in Sheridan, Belding, Stanton, Owosso, Fenwick, Vickeryville, Lansing, Gobles, Kendall, Benton Harbor, Grand Rapids, and Parsippany, NJ. He also worked as a counselor and in administration at Montcalm Community College. Pastor Downing enjoyed a full and satisfying life with a wonderful wife and partner in ministry. His children were a great joy to him, and he wouldn't have traded any one of his children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren for a million dollars. The churches he served over the years helped his educational efforts and were very good to Pastor Downing and his family, and the friends he made over the years enriched his life greatly and will last into eternity. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM Friday, June 15, 2012 at the Evergreen Free Methodist Church in Sheridan with Pastor James Vanderwarker officiating. Visitation will be Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Hurst Funeral Home, Greenville. Memorial contributions may be given to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital or to the Disabled American Veterans. |
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There are currently 12 condolences.
Maj Jason Simmons
JW_Simmons@yahoo.com
Saturday June 16, 2012 at
3:58 AM
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Family & Friends,
Sorry, I cannot be with you back home to morn the loss of Grandpa Downing and more importantly to celebrate his life, but I know he would understand. I am in Kabul, Afghanistan serving on a 1-yr deployment away from my wife and newborn baby girl - Lillian, named after Grandma Downing. As a boy, Grandpa told me about the times he had to be away for war. He spoke of it in a way that displayed his pride in service to our great nation, but also as being a hardship away from his lovely bride and family. My youngest brother Sgt. Daniel Downing and I can attest to that -- wartime service does not come without personal sacrifice, but SERVICE is exactly what Ill remember most about my grandfather. He taught all of his children, grandchildren, and everyone else that he came in contact with, that the greatest thing is to serve others, to serve our nation, and most importantly to serve our Lord. And if youre serving our nation and others, then youll also be serving as a hand of God. I took his wisdom to heart and just hope that Im able to give half as much as he has, to positively impact the life of others. Grandpa lived what the Lord said in Matthew 20:26-27, Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave; even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Let us remember Ken Downing's service and celebrate his passion for serving God. ... Ill miss you so much, Grandpa -- Thank you!
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Julie Sweet-Rodts and Ty Sweet
Friday June 15, 2012 at
2:14 PM
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Lillian,
You and Ken will always have a very special place in our hearts. You both helped our families in so many diferent ways. Your love and support will never be forgotten. Loving thoughts with you,
Julie and Ty
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Carole (Ralph) Jewell
Thursday June 14, 2012 at
5:55 PM
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Lillian, So sorry for your loss. I remember so clearly when he came to the Vickeryville Church when I was a child. I really liked to hear him preach. He will be missed....
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Sandy Balma
Thursday June 14, 2012 at
12:02 PM
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Dear Pete and Kathy, and the rest of the Downing family,
I am grieved to hear of the death of your Dad. This has been a very hard year with much loss...I am hoping that the love of family and friends, with the strength of our Lord, will carry you through this difficult time. Your father and your mother played an important role in my life when first coming to Owosso. Their love and support will never be forgotten; these memories always cherished! My bridal shower is tonight, or else I would be there with you! I hope to ride up with Cheryl sometime to see you. All of his Blessings to you and to your Mom. Love, Sandy
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Barb & Kirk Perry
Wednesday June 13, 2012 at
9:28 PM
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Dear Lillian and Family,
We are so sorry for your loss but are rejoicing that Kendall is now in a much better place, waiting for all of us! We were so blessed to be able to know him as fellow members of MARSP. What a kind and gentle man he was!
Love and Prayers,
Barb & Kirk Perry
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Sally Morais McDonald
Wednesday June 13, 2012 at
6:42 PM
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So very sorry to hear of Ken's passing. So glad we had lunch with him and Lillian, Lon and Cathy Holton recently. Ken was a wonderful, intelligent man with a quiet sense of humor. My heart goes out to Lillian and Kathy and the rest of the family.
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Kami & Duane Prince
Wednesday June 13, 2012 at
5:11 PM
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Kathy & Pete, Sorry to hear, our deepest sympathies! Our thoughts and prayers go out to you! Heartfelt condolences to the family also.
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Glenn &Marcia Geiger
Wednesday June 13, 2012 at
4:19 PM
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Your family is in our prayers. Pastor Ken was loved by all who knew him. We enjoyed having him as our pastor at the First Congregational Church in Belding. He will certainly be missed, but he is now with his Lord.
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Steve and Marcia Long
Wednesday June 13, 2012 at
3:17 PM
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Kathy,We are so sorry to hear of your father's passing, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
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Linda Purcey
Wednesday June 13, 2012 at
1:25 PM
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I am so sorry for your loss. Ken and Lillian were very inspirational for the bell choir at First Congregational in Belding. They put up with my loud children in church and always offered encouragement. I'll always remember Ken singing and playing the guitar with the handbells to "Peace I leave with you my friends, peace the world cannot give." He sang it beautifully. My favorite sermon was a message he gave about the waterbug and dying. What a wonderful minister.
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Jan OBerry
Wednesday June 13, 2012 at
11:59 AM
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I found it a wonderful thing to have friends like the Downings. What special people! God blessed me by allowing me to know them and be a small part of their lives. Heaven has a new angel and Ken finally has the "Peace In The Valley" he so often spoke to me about.
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Brenda Gillman (Ralph)
Tuesday June 12, 2012 at
9:53 PM
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I am very sorry for your loss,He will be greatly missed.
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