Marian H. McDowell

Marian H. McDowell, 93, of Shell Point Retirement Center, Ft. Myers, Florida, formerly of White Pigeon, MI, died Sunday June 26, 2011 at her home.

She was born November 22, 1917 in Elkhart to Oscar C. and Alma H. (Gravender) Velte and married H. LaMar McDowell on October 14, 1939 in Elkhart. He died on July 24, 1990. Surviving are a daughter, Janet (Steve) Rathka of Middlebury and a son, Dean L. (Jan) McDowell of White Pigeon, MI; 5 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and a brother, Robert O. Velte of Denver, CO.

Marian was a homemaker and a former member of St. John’s United Church of Christ and the Elkhart Art League. She was a member of the Hobby Dobbers painting group. In Florida, she was active in Shell Point Community activities and enjoyed riding the Amish bus from Middlebury to Florida.

Visitation will be from 10 am to 11:30 am Friday at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home at Cobblestone Crossing, Elkhart where services will be held at 11:30 am. Reverend Larry Kurtz will officiate. Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.

Memorials may be given to Faith United Methodist Church, Elkhart, First United Methodist Church, Middlebury, or to the charity of the donor’s choice. Visit www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com to sign an online guestbook.