Edwin Lee Downing

1937 - 2026

November 24, 1937 – February 12, 2026
Oshkosh, WI

On February 12, 2026, our beloved father, Edwin Lee Downing, 88, peacefully left this earthly life, surrounded by the family he cherished, and entered the presence of his Lord. While Oshkosh became the community he faithfully served for many decades, Ed's story began far from Wisconsin - in New Concord, Ohio, and soon after in Kijabe, Kenya.

Born to missionary parents, Herbert and Mildred Downing, Ed spent his formative years at Rift Valley Academy in Kenya, where his parents served tirelessly. His grandfather had first gone to Africa as a pioneer missionary in 1901, and that legacy of faith, courage, and service shaped him profoundly. Growing up in Africa taught him resilience, hard work, and a deep commitment to serving others - lessons that guided every chapter of his life.

He arrived at Wheaton College in 1956 with less than $100 in his pocket. By working three campus jobs - including tending boilers on the night shift - he graduated debt-free in 1960 with a science degree and an ROTC commission as a Second Lieutenant. He earned his MD from Jefferson Medical College in 1964, but the true highlight of those years was courting the "cute brunette" he met at an ice-skating party in college - our mom, Lois. They married in 1963 and built a marriage that flourished for 63 years, beginning with a honeymoon blended into a medical internship in remote East Africa (and a bout of malaria for Lois that gave them an early lesson in resilience!)

Ed served honorably as an Army physician, including deployment to Cu Chi, Vietnam, where he was awarded the Bronze Star and Combat Medical Badge. He even built a chapel for fellow soldiers while stationed there. By God's grace, he returned home safely to his growing family.

After completing his ophthalmology residency in Chicago, Ed opened his practice in Oshkosh in 1971. For decades, patients trusted not only his surgical skill but also his careful listening and well-considered advice. He served as Chief of Surgery and later Chief of Staff at Mercy Medical Center and was honored in 1999 as Wisconsin Physician Citizen of the Year. Yet titles mattered less to him than whether people were helped by his interaction with them.

He led a Bible study for 20 years, served in Rotary for 35 years, and gave generously of his time to the Chamber of Commerce and United Way. Even when his practice put heavy demands on his time, he and Lois traveled repeatedly to Kenya, Zaire, Romania, and China to perform eye surgeries and train local physicians - often funding equipment themselves. Service to God and others was a lifelong calling for him.

To us, he was Dad and Papa and Yeye- steady, prayerful, disciplined, and quietly generous. He fixed what was broken, showed up when it mattered, and taught us by example that faith and hard work belong together. His life was one of purpose, humility, and deep love.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Lois; his daughters Brenda (& Mark) Bosley and Sandy (& Ed) Brunk; grandchildren Bennett (& Rachel) Bosley, Mitch (& Kaitie) Brunk, Stephen Bosley, Grace (& Jordan) Keller, Hailee Brunk; great-grandsons Branson Brunk and Pierson Brunk; siblings Ruth Ann (& Joseph) Miano, Martin (& Norma) Downing; siblings-in-law Kendall Grass and Thelma Downing. He was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Mildred Downing; and his siblings Gayle Grass and Glenn Downing.

Our family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the ShareHaven staff at Evergreen Retirement Community and AseraCare Hospice, for their tireless labor of love in caring for Edwin in his final days with them.

We will celebrate his life on Saturday, May 2, at Resurrection Presbyterian Church in Oshkosh, with visitation at 10:00 a.m. and service at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Samaritan's Purse in honor of his lifelong commitment to medical missions.

We are so very proud to be a part of his family. A more complete version of Edwin's obituary is available on the Konrad-Behlman website: www.konrad-behlman.com/obituaries


Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home
402 Waugoo Ave.
Oshkosh WI 54901
(920) 231-1510