Jaylen Adam Downs

Jaylen Adam Downs, 22, of rural Union, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Memorial services for Jaylen will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. at Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. Visitation will be held prior to the service; beginning at 2:00 p.m. Please dress casually and wear your favorite band t-shirt. Memorials may be directed to the family. For more information or to send a condolence, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Jaylen and his family.

Jaylen Downs was born October 17, 2000, the son of Benita Petersen and Kyle Downs. He attended Marshalltown and BCLUW schools and had taken some classes at Marshalltown Community College. When Jaylen took an interest in something, he learned everything there was to know about it. He enjoyed playing video games and writing fan fiction. Jaylen had a great love for all critters; cats, dogs, insects/arachnids, and especially raccoons. He had a quick wit and an amazing (but sometimes very dark) sense of humor. He made up a word when he was around 5 or 6 years old: Duhmazing – when something is so dumb you just can’t believe it.

Jaylen is survived by his parents, Kyle and Benita; his brother, Devon Downs; nephew, Aaron Downs; grandparents, Adam and Deb Terry, and Kathy Downs; great-grandmother, Darlene Brees; uncle, Jesse Petersen, along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family and friends.