Virgil Dean McDowell

McDowell, Virgil Dean
was born in Brookfield, MO, on July 23, 1914, and died Sunday, January 27, 2013. He was the son of Virgil Lane McDowell and Maude Banker McDowell, between sisters, Frances and Judy. He graduated from Brookfield High School, and went to Missouri Valley College in Marshall, MO, where he met his future wife, Rosemary. They were married in 1938. He worked for A.C.Nielsen, a marketing research company, for 15 years until they moved to Arizona in 1954 and bought a store. They operated that store at 46 W. Main Street for the next 12 years, after which he worked at LeSueur's Men's Store, and later Saba's Western Wear. Retirement enabled much travel, more hunting and fishing, and time with grandchildren and great grandchildren. He started a ministry of Men's Breakfasts at Church of the Redeemer, in Mesa, co-ordinating speakers and cooking for them for about 30 years. He was an Elder there, and was a constant greeter. His warm handshake and smile welcomed all. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rosemary, his sister Frances, his grandson, Dan Mehan, granddaughter Deborah Mehan Kennedy, and his son-in-law Perry Mehan. Survivors are daughters, Rosemary McDowell Mehan, Marcia McDowell Shehorn (Dave), grandchildren Linda Mehan, Jim Mehan, Ray Mehan (Julie), Steve (Katie), and Patrick (Jamie), Christine Shehorn Albers (Jeff), Megan Shehorn Casteel (Matthew), Matthew Shehorn (Bethany), 27 great-grandchildren, and a great-great-grandson! Services will be on Saturday, February 2, at 1:30 p.m. at Grace Covenant Church in Gilbert. The family wishes to express gratitude to Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Mesa for their loving care for our Dad during his last days. Dad would be pleased for memorial gifts to be sent to The Salvation Army of which he was a board member for many years. 241 E. 6th St, Mesa, AZ 85201.