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 Aug. 27, 1932 - Oct. 25, 2012
SOUTH BEND - George Franklin Downer, 80, of Fullerton, CA, entered into eternal rest after a brief illness. George was born August 27th, 1932, in South Bend, IN, to George and Ida (Short) Downer. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Robert; his first wife, Patricia Joan Downer; grandson, Nathan Dean Downer; sister, Mary Grace (Downer) Purtee; and daughter-in-law, Kathy Elaine Downer. He married Patricia Joan Graf on June 28th, 1952. Mr. Downer is survived by his loving second wife, Donna Rae (Provance) Downer, who he married on June 9th, 2001. He is also survived by his children: a daughter, Mary Lou Barth, and husband, Doug of Osceola, IN; a son, Dean of Massena, IA; a son, Gene, and wife, Julia of Kendallville, IN; a daughter, Michelle Wyatt, and husband, Don of Grand Forks, ND, and older brother, Guy, and wife, Phyllis of Northbrook, IL. He is also survived by grandchildren, Alison, of Massena, IA, Dominique Wyatt of Tampa, FL, Danielle and husband, Nakuma Stone of Noblesville, IN, Robert Wyatt, and wife, Melissa of Tucson, AZ, Clayton, and wife, Kimberly of Monterrey, CA; and Haley of Kendallville, IN. Mr. Downer was an outstanding student athlete at John Adams High and later at Indiana State University. He served as a Sergeant in the United States Army during the Korean War. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Industrial Arts Education at Indiana State and later earned his Master's degree from Western Michigan University. He taught at Pierre Navarre Junior High School in South Bend, IN, for 35 years. He also coached football, wrestling, and taught 4-H during his years at Pierre Navarre. In addition to teaching, George was a passionate woodworker who took pleasure in creating and restoring wooden treasures including furniture, trunks, and even wooden pens. George retired from teaching in 1993 and enjoyed his retirement by golfing at Whispering Pines in the summer and fall, then traveling to warmer climates in an RV. He spent his last years in Fullerton, CA, where he enjoyed golfing and other outdoor activities. Memorial services for George Franklin Downer will be held at the North Liberty Church of Christ, 65225 Indiana 23, North Liberty, IN 56554. The viewing will be held on Friday, November 2nd, from 3-8 pm and the funeral will be held on Saturday, November 3rd, at 11:00 am. Memorials may be made by performing a random act of kindness in honor of George.
Published in South Bend Tribune on October 30, 2012
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