Jerry Dowling

Jerry Dowling, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and one of Cincinnati's defining illustrators, died on March 7, 2026, at age 86. Born on November 16, 1939, Jerry spent his life drawing the world exactly as he saw it, with precision, humor, and an ink pen that cut as sharply as any sword.

Jerry began his career in Windsor, Ontario, before joining The Cincinnati Enquirer in the late 1960s. Over the decades, his sports cartoons chronicled the Big Red Machine, the Bengals, the Bearcats, Cincinnati hockey, and generations of athletes and entertainers. His trademark character, Dirty Rat, tucked into the corner of his sports cartoons, became a beloved signature. His caricatures were bold, biting, and unmistakably his own.

Away from the drawing board, Jerry was a devoted hockey fan, golfer, a lover of country music, and guitar player. Above all, Jerry cherished his family. He and his wife, Geraldine, were approaching their 60th wedding anniversary.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Geraldine; his daughter, Karen Wiesner, and her husband, Bill; his brother, Tony Dowling; and his grandchildren, Kevin and Emma Schlachter, and Jake and Kelsey Wiesner. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Shannon Schlachter; his brother, Robert Dowling; and his sister, Elaine Dowling.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, March 30, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Linnemann Funeral Home in Burlington, Kentucky, with interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. A reception will follow from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Linnemann Event Center.

In remembrance of Jerry, the family encourages donations to the UC Health Liver Transplant Program at uchealth.com. Please specify "University of Cincinnati Medical Center – Liver Transplant Program" in the notes.