Beth E. Downam
Beth E. Downam, 95, Columbia City, died at 3:32 a.m. Friday, Oct. 21, 2016 at Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home, Fort Wayne.
She was born Jan. 14, 1921 in Columbia City, a daughter of Herbert and Frieda (Hursey) Keiser. Her formative years were spent in Columbia City. She attended West Ward School.
She first married Ralph Sroufe. With the exception of a few years in California, they made their home in Larwill and Columbia City. Mr. Sroufe died in 1963.
In 1965 she married Paul Downam. They made their home in Ohio and Decatur. Following Mr. Downam’s death in 1981, Beth moved to Fort Wayne.
Surviving relatives include a son, Thomas E. (Jane) Sroufe of Columbia City; four grandsons: Allen Sroufe, James Sroufe, John Sroufe and Todd Sroufe; a granddaughter, Tammy Buckles; four great grandchildren; a daughter-in-law, Penny Sroufe of Fort Wayne; and a sister, Arla Mae Fennig of Tri Lakes.
In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by a son, Budd Sroufe; a grandson, Dennis Sroufe; three brothers, Dale Keiser, Gerald Keiser and Maurice Keiser; and four sisters, Margaret Hutchings, Maxine Fry, Alice Joyce Keiser and Marjorie Ellen Keiser.
A private graveside service will be held at South Park Annex Cemetery.
Preferred memorials are to Riley Children’s Hospital or Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home.
Arrangements are entrusted to Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.