Kathryn H Downs

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 11, 2014 in Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville, IL with Rev. Kevin Ray officiating. There will be no visitation. Arrangements are by Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL. Memorials may be given to the First Christian Church of Shelbyville, IL.

Mrs. Downs was born on August 14, 1918 in Lovington, IL the daughter of John and Laverne (Hostetler) Haws. Kate graduated from Lovington High School and was the valedictorian of the Class of 1936. Her work history includes Brown Shoe Company in Sullivan, IL, sang with the Joe Martin Orchestra, Downs Plumbing and Heating Company in Shelbyville and homemaker par excellence. Her passions in life were her family and working with young people, which she did in various capacities for over 50 years. Kate was a member of the First Christian Church of Shelbyville, IL. She married Rufus “Ikey” Downs on September 17, 1938. He preceded her in death on September 2, 1993.

She is survived by her son, Richard “Ike” Downs (Linda) of Shelbyville, IL; grandchildren, Rusty Downs of Springfield, IL, Mike Holland (Teri) of Shelbyville, IL, Belinda Woltmann (Jim) of Collinsville, IL, Kallene Eaton (Chris) of Mattoon, IL, Kim Wilson of Georgetown, TX, Kara Whalin (Jason) of Charlestown, IN and Erin Downs (Tony) of Cobden, IL; twelve great grandchildren; and three great great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, “Ikey”; daughter, Phylis “Pip” Downs; brothers, Fred, Don and Art “Short” Haws; and sister, Eilene Newberry.

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