Robert Mcdowell

Robert McDowell, 81, of Marshalltown, Iowa, passed away on Monday, May 13, 2013, at Iowa River Hospice. Funeral Services for Robert will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 18, 2013 at Stavanger Friends Church in rural LeGrand, Iowa. Public visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 17, 2013, at Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed in Roberts name to Iowa River Hospice. For further information or to send a condolence please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call at (641) 844-1234. Robert McDowell was born on May 23, 1931, the son of Floyd and Gretchen (Fesler) McDowell. He was the second of nine children. He was born and raised in southern Iowa and attended school in the Van Wert area. Robert was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Joyce Edwards, on February 19, 1950. Robert honorably served our country in the U.S. Army. He was drafted in 1952, and was deployed on June 26, 1952, to Germany. Robert returned home on December 6, 1953. Robert worked in the train industry for Chicago Great Western and Chicago North Western before retiring from Chicago North Western. He was a member of the American Legion, and Railroad Retirees. Robert had a true passion for his family, the game of golf, wood carving, whittling, playing guitar, and being an all-around musician. Robert is survived by his wife of 63 years, Joyce McDowell; children: Rob (Lindsay) McDowell; Michael (Tisha) McDowell; grandchildren: Zac (Nichole) McDowell; Lucas McDowell; Elizabeth (McDowell) Tad Asay; Michael Nathan McDowell; and Emily McDowell; great grandchildren: Wesley, Maggie, Linley, and Whittaker; two brothers: Orval McDowell and Darwin McDowell; two sisters: Colleen West and Cindy Vandel. He is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers: Ray McDowell, Con McDowell and Gary McDowell; and infant sister, Vivian McDowell.