Michael Wayne Dowell

Michael Wayne Dowell, 76, of Owensboro passed away Thursday, August 14, 2025, at the Western Kentucky Veterans Center in Hanson. He served in the U.S. Marine Corp and Marine Corp Reserves during the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1974 achieving the rank of Corporal. The Daviess County native was born August 26, 1948, to the late Richard Earl Dowell and Elizabeth Mae Meadows Dowell. Mike graduated from Owensboro High School with the class of 1967. After his military service, Mike was employed as a chip handler and heavy equipment operator for 43 years at the same company which started as Western Kraft and became Willamette Industries, Weyerhauser, and eventually Domtar before he retired in 2013 as head woodyard operator. Mike was a longtime member of USW Local Union 1261. He enjoyed baseball, fishing, hunting, rock and roll concerts, playing pool, asphalt and dirt late model racing, and casinos. Mike had a love for gatherings of family and friends, burgoo cookouts, and setting off fireworks. He loved mowing and working on his property driving his Kubota BX2370 tractor.

In addition to his parents, Mike was also preceded in death by his brothers-in-law, David Cobb, Jesse King, and Larry Shouse; sister-in-law, Linda Shouse; and his wife’s parents, Chalmus and Mary Agnes Henderson; granddad, Ira Thurman Meadows; Uncle John and Aunt Vi Meadows, and Uncle Pat and Aunt Mary Agnes Partridge.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 48 years, Regina Henderson Dowell; half-brother, Ronald Earl Dowell of Paducah; sisters-in-law, Darleen King, Judy (Kevin) Fee, Margie Cobb (Mark Conrad); brothers-in-law, Allen (Mag) Henderson and Darrell Henderson; first cousins, Janet (Art) Mina and Barb (Marty) Haase; numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.

Special appreciation for Mike’s care goes to his “extended family” at the Western Kentucky Veterans Center who provided him with dignity, love, and compassion.

The funeral Mass will be at 11:30 am Wednesday, August 20 at St. Anthony Catholic Church with same day visitation from 9:00 am until 11:00 am at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory. Burial will be in the St. Anthony Church Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to St. Anthony Cemetery Fund, 261 St. Anthony Rd. Utica, KY 42376 or the Western Kentucky Veterans Center, 926 Veterans Drive, Hanson, KY 42413.

Condolences and memories for Mike’s family may be left at www.glenncares.com.