Ernestine Mcdowell

Ernestine M. McDowell, 92, passed away Friday, November 6, 2009 at the Champaign County Nursing Home, Urbana, after a brief illness. She was born September 16, 1917 in Danville to Ernest and Maud Holycross. She married Wade R. McDowell on February 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, Urbana and Margaret (Larry) Hawkins, Rantoul; four grandchildren: Cathy (John) Hiser, Ogden; Laurie (Randy) Clark, Dewey, Kevin (Dawn) Hawkins and Janelle (Jeff) Isaacs, all of Farmer City; eight great-grandchildren; one brother, Harold (Ann) Holycross, Westville; and one sister, Mabel Browning, Northfork, Florida. 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 Monday, November 9, 2009 from 6 to 8 pm at Sunset Funeral Home of Danville. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 10 am at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research, ATTN: Tribute Gifts, Church Street Station, P.O. Box 780, New York, New York 10008 or the Arthritis Foundation, P.O. Box 96280 Washington, D.C. 20077. Email condolences can be sent to the family at: www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.