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J. Paul Downing, 95, of Creston died Monday, April 10, 2017, at Greater Regional Hospice Home in Creston.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, April 13, at Pearson Family Funeral Service and Cremation Center, 809 W. Montgomery St., in Creston. The Rev. Phil Price of Orient Plymouth Congregational Church will officiate. Open visitation will be from 1 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 12, with the family present from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery in Creston. Memorial contributions may be directed to Green Valley State Park and Greater Regional Hospice Home. Online condolences may be left at www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com.
Jesse Paul Downing, son of Earl Daniel and Cammie Marie (LeCocq) Downing, was born Sept. 21, 1921, in Creston. Paul was educated in Union County country schools and Creston public schools, graduating from Creston High School. Following graduation, Paul enlisted in the United States Navy during WWII. He was stationed at the U.S. Naval Training Station in Great Lakes, Illinois, as an aviation cadet. Due to the death of his father, he received a special order discharge Aug. 2, 1943, and he returned home to the farm.
On Sept. 12, 1943, Paul married Berniece June Antisdel in Nevinville. J. Paul was a lifelong farmer, raising hogs and a large herd of Angus cattle. He also grew corn and soybeans.
Paul served on Union County Conservation Board for more than 20 years and the board for Green Valley Chemical for several years. Paul was a former member of the Elks Lodge, Eagles Lodge and the VFW, and when he was younger, he was active in the Masonic Lodge.
Paul is survived by his children, Richard (Mary) Downing of Creston and Judy (Dennis) Loudon of Afton; grandchildren, Todd (Lesa) Downing of Creston, Brett (Kathy) Downing of La Vista, Nebraska, Kasey (Jody) Downing of Creston, Cody (Jenni) Downing of Creston, Chris (Ashley) Downing of Creston, Traci (Tom) Lust of Des Moines, Brook (Cody) Adams of Lenox and Clint Williamson of Afton; 18 great-grandchildren; brothers, Donny (Sharen) Downing of Orient and John (Betty Mae) Downing of Nevinville; special friend Dennell Hensley of Orient; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and host of friends.
Paul was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Berniece in 2015; sister and brother-in-law, Mildred and Earl Woods and his parents.