Edward E. 'Rudy' Downing
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
He was born Jan. 27, 1930, in Star City, the son of Ralph F. and Julia M. Conner Downing. On July 8, 1950, he married Alice Sawyer, who preceded him in death Sept. 23, 1973. On Dec. 28, 1974, he then married Claudette Ann Mathis, who survives.
He was a 1949 graduate of Peru High School. He worked as a licensed plumber at Delco Electronics until his retirement in 1995. He was a member of St. Charles Catholic Church, the Peru Maennerchor, The Knights of Columbus and Local UAW 292.
He was an avid sports fan and thoroughly enjoyed watching the Peru High School sports. He was an enthusiastic gardener and proud of his hibiscus flowers. His greatest pleasure in life was spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Also surviving are four children: Gary (and spouse Debbie) Downing and Lisa (and spouse Gary) Loe, all of Peru; Michael Downing (and fiancé Suzanne Ahnert), Rochester; Timothy (and spouse Gail) Downing, Etna Green; three stepchildren: Dan (and spouse Dawn) Dock, Dallas, Texas; David (and spouse Debbie) Dock, Macungie, Pa.; Paul Dock, Cucamonga, Calif; grandchildren: Joshua and Stacey Downing, Justin and Danielle Downing, Jennifer and Rick Miller, Patrick Downing and Anna, Nicole Rodriquez and Matt, Mandi and Filip Bielanski, Amber Loe and Froy, Hannah Downing, Jackson Downing and Quinn Downing; step grandchildren: Adam Dock, Andrew Dock, Christopher and Missy Dock, Matthew Dock, Megan and Johnathan Nolter, Lauren Dock, Michelle Crance, Lesley Dock and Samantha Dock; 11 great-grandchildren: Grady Downing, Ashley Miller, Alice Miller, Averi Miller, Olivia Downing, Owen Downing, Matea Downing, Andrew Rodriquez, Mason Atkins, Samantha Lovall and Max Bielanski; three step-great-grandchildren, Evelyn Dock, Madison Ennis and Charles Ennis; a brother, Francis (and spouse Mary Jo) Downing; and a sister, Mary Funkhouser. He also was preceded in death by his parents; a granddaughter, Kristy Downing; and a daughter-in-law, Brenda Dock.
A Mass of Christian burial celebrating his life will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the St. Charles Catholic School, with Father Adam Mauman officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery.
Family and friends will gather from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Eikenberry-Eddy Funeral Home, Peru, Ind. A prayer service will be held at 8 p.m.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Eikenberry-Eddy Funeral Home, Peru, Ind.
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Donations may be made through the funeral home to St. Charles Catholic Church Building Fund or the Peru High School Athletic Department.
Family and friends may leave a memory or message of condolence by visiting the online obituary at www.eddyfuneralhomes.com
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He was born Jan. 27, 1930, in Star City, the son of Ralph F. and Julia M. Conner Downing. On July 8, 1950, he married Alice Sawyer, who preceded him in death Sept. 23, 1973. On Dec. 28, 1974, he then married Claudette Ann Mathis, who survives.
He was a 1949 graduate of Peru High School. He worked as a licensed plumber at Delco Electronics until his retirement in 1995. He was a member of St. Charles Catholic Church, the Peru Maennerchor, The Knights of Columbus and Local UAW 292.
He was an avid sports fan and thoroughly enjoyed watching the Peru High School sports. He was an enthusiastic gardener and proud of his hibiscus flowers. His greatest pleasure in life was spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Also surviving are four children: Gary (and spouse Debbie) Downing and Lisa (and spouse Gary) Loe, all of Peru; Michael Downing (and fiancé Suzanne Ahnert), Rochester; Timothy (and spouse Gail) Downing, Etna Green; three stepchildren: Dan (and spouse Dawn) Dock, Dallas, Texas; David (and spouse Debbie) Dock, Macungie, Pa.; Paul Dock, Cucamonga, Calif; grandchildren: Joshua and Stacey Downing, Justin and Danielle Downing, Jennifer and Rick Miller, Patrick Downing and Anna, Nicole Rodriquez and Matt, Mandi and Filip Bielanski, Amber Loe and Froy, Hannah Downing, Jackson Downing and Quinn Downing; step grandchildren: Adam Dock, Andrew Dock, Christopher and Missy Dock, Matthew Dock, Megan and Johnathan Nolter, Lauren Dock, Michelle Crance, Lesley Dock and Samantha Dock; 11 great-grandchildren: Grady Downing, Ashley Miller, Alice Miller, Averi Miller, Olivia Downing, Owen Downing, Matea Downing, Andrew Rodriquez, Mason Atkins, Samantha Lovall and Max Bielanski; three step-great-grandchildren, Evelyn Dock, Madison Ennis and Charles Ennis; a brother, Francis (and spouse Mary Jo) Downing; and a sister, Mary Funkhouser. He also was preceded in death by his parents; a granddaughter, Kristy Downing; and a daughter-in-law, Brenda Dock.
A Mass of Christian burial celebrating his life will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the St. Charles Catholic School, with Father Adam Mauman officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery.
Family and friends will gather from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Eikenberry-Eddy Funeral Home, Peru, Ind. A prayer service will be held at 8 p.m.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Eikenberry-Eddy Funeral Home, Peru, Ind.
*****
Donations may be made through the funeral home to St. Charles Catholic Church Building Fund or the Peru High School Athletic Department.
Family and friends may leave a memory or message of condolence by visiting the online obituary at www.eddyfuneralhomes.com
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