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Daniel Downing Obituary
Obituary for Daniel Wayne Downing Sr.
Daniel Wayne Downing, age 76, died in his automotive repair shop in Dayton, Ohio, on March 29th, 2023. Dan, the youngest of seven children, was born in Dayton, on August 20, 1946, to Earl E. and Marie (Clune) Downing. Dan attended Beavercreek High School before serving in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam era. Dan was certified in HVAC but could fix anything. He fixed cars, motorcycles, plumbing, electrical problems, skinned knees, and broken hearts.
Dan and Vicki (Rhoden) meet in July of 1971 and married on August 11, 1973. They would have celebrated their 50th this August. Dan ran his shop from 1971-1991, taking a 25- year career detour, renting his shop to Jack Hohl. During his time away from his shop he ran a successful home maintenance business, helped his ailing mother, supported his wife as she completed her education, and kept things going in his family. Dan cared about many things but his family came first, only after his love for God.
Dan is survived by and was devoted to his wife, Vicki, his four children, Daniel Wayne Downing Jr. Michael David Downing, Gwen and Jo Downing-Groth, their children Thurston, Enita, Hannelore, Felix, and Katherine and Ryan Aubry, their children Oliver and Hazel. He is also survived by one brother, Walter Downing, two sisters, Mary Mahan and Carol O'Cull, numerous nieces, nephews, and close friends. Dan shared his passion for collecting and restoring vintage hotrods, singing in church and community nursing homes, collecting, repairing and riding motorcycles with many life-long friends. Dan was active in the Emmaus Community and in each church, he served with his wife, South Park, Christ Kettering and Grace United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Donald and Virgil, and sister Marilyn (Downing) Haas.
A celebration of life memorial service will be held for Dan on April 22, 2023, at Grace United Methodist Church, 1401 West Main Street, Springfield, Ohio, 45504. Visitation 11:00-12:00, service 12:00-1:00, and luncheon 1:00-2:00. Memorial donations may be made to Grace Church in Dan's memory.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Daniel Downing
4 Entries
Jack Hohl Jr
August 6, 2023
Rest In Peace Dan. Our heartfelt prayers and condolences to your family.
Julie Fairchild
June 16, 2023
I remember Dan from Emmaus. What a lovely person he was and such a positive presence!
Rob Holmes, Phillips Sheet Metal
April 18, 2023
Dan will be missed. My family runs a small sheet metal shop that was located just a few doors down from Dan's transmission shop. My dad (& me!) & Dan shared the same passions of hot rods. I was glad when he looked us up after many years & was redoing the shop to start the transmission business again. I would see him outside every now & then for the last few years when I drove by there regularly. Rest easy my friend.
Bill Bickley
April 18, 2023
Dan was a Great man, i met him many years ago, he serviced and built a transmission for my street rod, maybe 45 years ago. He was always so kind and liked to help any where he could. We will miss him and the transmission shop.
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