Delores “Dee” Downs, 91

Dolores "Dee" Downs, 91, of rural Cole Camp, died Wednesday, August 14, 2013, at Lincoln Community Nursing Home, Lincoln.  She was born on April 1, 1922, at Royalton, Illinois, a daughter of Enos and Silva (Stacy) Short.

In August of 1937, she was united in marriage to Charles R. Downs.  This union was blessed with the gift of three children:  Rita, Loyd, and Beverly.

After her marriage to Charles, they lived on a farm in Royalton, IL.  In 1956, the family moved to Anna, IL, where she was a nurse at the state hospital.  In 1967, she graduated from Southern Illinois University with a nursing degree.  She moved to Kansas City in 1972 and worked at several hospitals, including Research.  She moved to Cole Camp in the early 1980's and went to work for Bothwell Hospital, retiring in 1986.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church, Cole Camp.  She enjoyed traveling, making crafts, playing Bingo, and listening to country music.

She is survived by:two daughters, Rita Fae Barnes of Cole Camp and Beverly Schwaller and her husband Bill of Lone Jack; one son, Loyd Enos Downs and his wife Barbara of Independence;six grandchildren, Paula Mitzel and her husband Brad, Sheri Jones and her husband Andy, Keith Downs, Kathy Gatzke and her husband Clay, Bobby Schwaller and his wife Marta, and Bruce Schwaller;one granddaughter-in-law, Beverly Barnes Johnson; ten great-grandchildren, Brandon and Garrett Barnes, Trenton, Joshua, and Tyler Jones, Brandon and Sean Gatzke, Brandon Schwaller, and Braxton and Kylie Schwaller;one great-great-grandchild, Blake Schwaller; and numerous cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Enos and Silva Short, a son-in-law, James Barnes, and three grandchildren, Brian Barnes and two in infancy.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 17, 2013, at First United Methodist Church, Cole Camp, with  Pastor Jason Veale and Pastor Michael Cassidy officiating.  Burial will be in Cole Camp Cemetery, rural Cole Camp.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until service time on Saturday at the church.

The family suggests memorial contributions be given to First United Methodist Church or to Cole Camp Cemetery in care of the Fox Funeral Home, Cole Camp.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons.