Elizabeth (Knowlton Meyer) Downey passed away on Sunday December 24, 2023 at Ripley Crossing in Milan. She recently turned 98 ½ years of age.
Elizabeth was born on June 20, 1925 to Charles and Alice (Black) Knowlton at their home south of Delaware, and she lived her entire life between that house and her current home “down the lane” on the other side of Delaware Road. She graduated from Napoleon High School in 1943, after the Delaware-Jackson School consolidation. She married Herman Meyer on August 24, 1949 and he preceded her in death on June 4, 1974. On July 17, 1986 she married William Downey and he survives.
Elizabeth was a homemaker for most of her life, but did work several years as dispatcher for the Ripley County Highway Garage as well as US Shoe, both in Osgood. She and Bill traveled extensively in their camper during their 37 years of marriage. They also enjoyed working on wood crafts together, with Bill cutting out the forms in his workshop, and Elizabeth painting them. They participated in craft shows in the area for several years. They took great pride in their flowers and lawn, and Elizabeth was still mowing with her zero turn riding mower as recently as this past summer.
She is survived by husband Bill, daughter Chris (Pat) Weigel, step-daughter Marlene (Tom) Meister, step daughter-in-law Pam (Merrill deceased) Bolt Downey, 6 grandchildren, as well as 13 great grandchildren. In addition to her parents and first husband Herman, she was preceded in death by her stepson Merrill Downey, step grandson Nic Meister, brothers; Frank Knowlton, Clyde Knowlton, and Walter Knowlton, and 7 half siblings including Alice Vayhinger and Ethel Dunbar.
Visitation will be held on Saturday December 30, 2023 from 10 am.-12 pm. at Neal’s Funeral Home in Osgood. Funeral services will be held at 12 pm., also at Neal’s. Burial will be at St Maurice Catholic Cemetery in Napoleon. In memory of Elizabeth’s love of animals, the family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Ripley County Humane Society in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be placed at Nealsfuneralhome.net