Byron McDowell

CHARLESTON, Mo. — Byron Wilson McDowell, 91, a resident of Charleston, died Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Dec. 19, 1931, at Fruitland to the late C. Wilson and Mildred Tant McDowell.

Byron was a 1950 graduate of Charleston High School. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1950 to 1954, and was stationed at the Azores Islands and Colorado Springs Air Force Base. Byron was honorably discharged in 1954.

Byron farmed in Mississippi County after returning home from the military until his retirement in 2001. He attended United Methodist Church of Charleston.

On Aug. 21, 1953, he married Dorothy P. Morgan, who survives of the home.

Also surviving are his children, David (Carol Slack) McDowell, Debra (James) Conn and Donald (Margaret Nelson) McDowell; grandchildren, Julie (Ryan) Summers, Emily (Michael) Stahlschmidt, Leslie (Scott) Hingle and Caitlin (Zach) Bolden; 11 great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Martha Lou Boone and Carolyn Sue Burcks, and his brother, Kenneth T. McDowell.

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until the funeral hour at 2 p.m. Monday, March 6, at United Methodist Church in Charleston. The Rev. Scott Moon, pastor, will officiate. Interment will follow in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home of Charleston.

Pallbearers will be Ryan Summers, Michael Stahlschmidt, Scott Hingle, Zach Bolden, Steve McClanahan and Steven Smith.

In lieu of flowers, plants and gift items, the family requests memorials be made to United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 351, Charleston, MO 63834.

Online condolences my be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.