Published: November 07, 2009 06:16 pm      

ERNESTINE M. MCDOWELL

Ernestine M. McDowell, 92, passed away Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, at the Champaign County Nursing Home, Urbana, after a brief illness.

She was born Sept. 16, 1917, in Danville to Ernest and Maud Holycross. She married Wade R. McDowell on Feb. 21, 1945. He preceded her in death on April 2, 1979. Also preceding her in death were three sisters and four brothers.

She is survived by two daughters, Shirley (William) Green of Urbana and Margaret (Larry) Hawkins of Rantoul; four grandchildren, Cathy (John) Hiser of Ogden and Laurie (Randy) Clark, Dewey, Kevin (Dawn) Hawkins and Janelle (Jeff) Isaacs, all of Farmer City; eight great-grandchildren; one brother, Harold (Ann) Holycross of Westville; and one sister, Mabel Browning of Northfork, Fla.

Mrs. McDowell was a homemaker. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, walking, music, and visiting with friends and relatives. Ernie, as she was fondly known by many, will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Visitation for Mrs. McDowell will be held from 6-8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, 2009, at Sunset Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, ATTN: Tribute Gifts, Church Street Station, P.O. Box 780, New York, NY 10008 or the Arthritis Foundation, P.O. Box 96280, Washington, D.C. 20077.

E-mail condolences can be sent to the family at: www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.