Helen F. Dowell, 91. of Bourbon, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018, in the Mason Healthcare Center in Warsaw.
Helen was born on May 21, 1927, in South Bend, to Steve and Francis Banic Sr.
Helen has been a resident of the Bourbon area since the 1940s. She was a graduate of Hanna High School in 1945. On July 13, 1946, Helen became the bride of Eugene Dowell, he preceded her in passing on Oct. 5, 2006.
Helen enjoyed being a homemaker and spending time with her family. She also retired from Coppes Kitchens in Nappanee. Helen was a member of the Bourbon American Legion Auxiliary Post 424 and a faithful member of the Bourbon First United Methodist Church.
Those left to cherish Helen’s memory are her daughter, Sharon Smith, of Warsaw; her son, Terry Rainelle Dowell, of Mentone; four grandchildren; Dawn Needler, husband Robert Derbyshire, of Warsaw; Greg Needler, of Fort Wayne; John and Melissa Dowell, of Plymouth; and Kim and Chad Vermillion, of Plymouth; several great and great-great-grandchildren; sisters Barb Shearer of Bourbon; Pasty Patterson of Mishawaka; Joan Fry of Oklahoma; Polly (Dave) Pruitt of Anderson; and Roseanne of Oklahoma, brothers Steve Banic of Bourbon, David (Diane) Banic of Bourbon; and Bobby (Lavonda) Banic of Bourbon. Helen is preceded in passing by her parents, daughter Debbie, and her two brothers, Mike and Martin Banic.
The Deaton-Clemens Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements for the Dowell family. A graveside service will be held today, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery at 11 a.m. with Pastor Denny Bollenbacher officiating.
*****
The Dowell family requests memorial contributions be made to Heart to Heart Hospice, 7221 Engle Road, Suite 100 Fort Wayne, IN 46804; or Kosciusko County Welfare League.
Friends are invited to sign the online guestbook and share memories of Helen with her family at deaton-clemensfuneralhome.com.
