Joe Downing
September 9, 1929 — May 30, 2015
Joe E. Downing, age 85, a resident of Pennville passed away Saturday, May 30, 2015 at Persimmon Ridge Rehabilitation Center in Portland. He was a member of the Pennville United Methodist Church and a veteran of the US Army Air Corps from 1946-1949.
He owned and operated Pennville Oil and Lumber for 27 years and was a Pennville Volunteer fireman for many years. He was a jail officer for the Jay County Sheriff’s Office retiring in 2000 as the Jail Commander. He then became the first appointed director of the Jay County Building and Planning Commission by the Jay County Commissioners. He also served several years as a member of the Jay County Sheriff’s Office Merit board. He was a lifetime member and a retired director of the Tri State Gas Engine and Tractor Association. He was an active amateur radio operator for over 50 years and a member of the Jay County Amateur Radio Club. He was past Commander and member of the Pennville American Legion Post 482. He was a member of the Pennville Masonic Lodge and past Grand Master of the lodge. He was also a member of the Ft. Wayne Scottish Rite, Shrine and Order of Eastern Star.
Joe was born August 9, 1929 in Pennville, Indiana the son of Lester and Delsie (Kile) Downing. He was married on December 31, 1970 to Janet Barton Teegarden. She passed away February 12, 2015.
Survivors Include:
2 Sons- Jon Downing, Monterrey, California
David Downing, Stockton, California
1 Step Son- Chip Teegarden (wife- Michelle), Pennville, Indiana
2 Step Daughters- Lori Wymer (husband-Scott), Modoc, Indiana
Layna Byrge (husband-Dale), Dunkirk, Indiana
14 Grandchildren and 17 Great Grandchildren
Visitation will be held from 4-7pm Tuesday in the Williamson and Spencer Funeral Home, Pennville Chapel. A Masonic service will be held at 7pm Tuesday at the funeral home.
Funeral service will be held at 11am Wednesday in the Williamson and Spencer Funeral Home, Pennville Chapel. Pastor Gary Phillips will officiate the services and burial will follow in the IOOF Twin Hills Cemetery in Pennville. Portland American Legion Post 211 will be in charge of military rites at the cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to the Tri State Gas Engine and Tractor Assoc.