Beverly A. Dowell, 71, of Crestline, died Thursday, July 28, 2016 at Kobacker House, Columbus, after a brief illness with complications from cancer.
Bev was born in Crestline on July 24, 1945 to the late Fred and Mary (Kleilein) Rader. She married Gerald “Joe” Dowell on April 12, 1963 and he preceded her in death on February 24, 2016.
Bev was a 1963 graduate of Crestline High School. She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Ontario. Together, Joe and Bev actively worked to educate themselves about their son, Jeffrey’s autism. Their continuous involvement set the bar for always being there to advocate for Jeff and others with disabilities. Bev spent her days as a homemaker and found joy in admiring her flowers. In the last few months, she bravely fought a hard battle against cancer. She will be remembered as a brave and heroic woman.
She is survived by her daughter Shelly (Bob) O’Sullivan, Columbus, her son Jeffrey Dowell, Nevada, her grandsons Michael O’Sullivan , and Jeremy O’Sullivan, her brother Calvin (Janet) Rader, Wilcox, AZ, her sister Dorothy Balliett, Mansfield, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her three brothers Delvin, Glenn, and Clifford Rader, and her two sisters Velma Rader and Norma Shifley.
Friends may call Monday, Aug. 1, 2016, from 5-8 p.m. at the Mark A. Schneider Funeral Home, 223 West Main St., Crestline. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 2 at the Mark A. Schneider Funeral Home, Crestline, with Pastor Mike Corwin officiating. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery, Crestline.
The Mark A. Schneider Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Beverly Dowell.
Memorial contributions may be made to the National Autism Society in care of the funeral home.
Online condolences may be made at masfh.com.
