Edward R. Dowdy, 85, of Bellefontaine, Ohio, passed away at 4:40 P.M. Monday, October 31, 2011, in the emergency room at Mary Rutan Hospital in Bellefontaine. He was born in Cordale, Georgia February 8, 1926, a son of the late William and Florence (Ussery) Dowdy. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Florence Irene Tudor, one grandson, two great-granddaughters, two great-grandsons and a brother, William D. Dowdy.
On June 28, 1943 in Bellefontaine, Ohio, he married the former Dianna May Garman and she preceded him in death April 17, 1990.
He is survived by daughters, Barbara Dowdy of Bellefontaine, Sandra Stevens of Elkhart, Indiana, Pamela (Joe) Jackson of Bellefontaine, Becky Smith of Belle Center, Ohio, and Mary Beth Dowdy of Belle Center; a son, Rudy E. (Virginia) Dowdy of Bellefontaine; thirteen granddaughters, nine grandsons; forty two great-grandchidren; ten great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Addie Plasencia of Statesville, North Carolina and numerous nieces & nephews.
He was an auto body finisher at Miller Meteor and retired from the Bellefontaine City Water Department.
He was an Army Veteran of World War II and a lifetime member of the Frank D. Castle VFW Post #1080 in Bellefontaine, the Bellefontaine AMVETS and was a charter member of the Bellefontaine Moose Lodge.
The funeral service will be held Friday, November 4, 2011 at 2:00 P.M. at the Eichholtz Funeral Home in Bellefontaine, where calling hours are Thursday, November 3, 2011 from 6 to 8 P.M. Interment will take place at the Highland Memorial Cemetery in West Liberty, Ohio.