Dana Duane Downing

1931 - 2026

Dana Duane Downing

Apr 2, 1931 - Jan 8, 2026

Dana Duane Downing, 94, longtime resident of Valparaiso, Indiana. Passed away peacefully on January 8, 2026 in Brooklyn, Ohio. He was born on April 2, 1931, to Dana Dymond and Lelah Melvin Downing in Willoughby, Ohio.

Downing grew up in the Fulton, NY area, where he was a member of the Fulton High School class of 1948. He received his associate degree in food science/technology from Morrisville (NY) College. He then went into the Army Security Agency of the U.S Military. Upon discharge he enrolled in the University of Georgia's food science and technology program. Downing received his B.S. degree from UGA in 1957 and his M.S. in Food Technology in 1958. He also did post graduate work at the Ohio State University as well as attended several courses sponsored by the American Management Association. He married Patricia Lott, Hamlet, NC. On December 21, 1957 in Athens, GA.

During his career, he worked for Clinton Corn Processing Co. a division of Standard Brands, Clinton, IA. Diamond Crystal Salt Col, St. Clair, MI, Keever Starch Co., Columbus, Ohio, ADM, Minneapolis, MN and Anheuser Busch, St. Louis. In 1975 he joined American Maize Products, Whiting, IN and retired in 1996 as a general manager of a new venture product, cyclodextrins.

He was predeceased in death by his twin brother, Donald L. Downing, and an infant son, Drew Duane Downing. Surviving are his beloved wife of 68 years, Patricia; three awesome children, Donna Conway (Jonathan), Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., Dana Dymond Downing II (Mary Kelley), Strongsville, Ohio, and Deborah Pettenuzzo, Joliet, Ill.; and 13 loved grandchildren, David, Scott, and Lelah Conway, Christian, Jacob, Noah, and Gabriel Downing, and Jessica, Alexandra, Michaela, Andrew, and Daniel Pettenuzzo, and Mateusz Pianiazek.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to; Pines Village, 3303 Pines Village Circle, Valparaiso, IN 46385, Valparaiso University, Chapel Dr., Valparaiso, IN 46383.

Arrangements made by Dykes Funeral Home, (219-462-3125), 2305 Campbell St., Valparaiso, IN 46385.