Helen F. Dowell, 91, Bourbon, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018, in the Mason Healthcare Center in Warsaw.

Helen F. Dowell

She was born on May 21, 1927, in South Bend, to Steve and Francis Banic, Sr. Helen Dowell has been a resident of the Bourbon area since the 1940’s. She was a graduate of Hanna High School in 1945. Then on July 13, 1946, she became the bride of Eugene Dowell. He preceded her in passing on Oct. 5, 2006. She enjoyed being a homemaker and spending time with her family. She also retired from Coppes Kitchens in Nappanee. She was a member of the Bourbon American Legion Auxiliary Post 424 and a faithful member of the Bourbon 1st United Methodist Church.

Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Sharon Smith of Warsaw; her son, Terry (Rainelle) Dowell of Mentone; four grandchildren, Dawn Needler of Key West, Florida (and spouse Robert Derbyshire), Greg Needler of Ft. Wayne, John and Melissa Dowell of Plymouth,  and Kim and Chad Vermillion of Plymouth; several great and great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Barb Shearer of Bourbon, Patsy Patterson of Mishawaka, Joan Fry of Oklahoma, Polly (Dave) Pruitt of Anderson and Roseanne of Oklahoma; brothers, Steve Banic of Bourbon, David (Diane) Banic of Bourbon and Bobby (Lavonda) Banic of Bourbon.

She was preceded in passing by her parents, daughter Debbie and her two brothers, Mike and Martin Banic.

The Deaton-Clemens Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements for the Dowell family. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 5, at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, with Pastor Denny Bollenbacher officiating.

The Dowell family requests memorial contribution be made to Heart to Heart Hospice, 7221 Engle Road Suite 100 Ft. Wayne, Indiana 46804 or Kosciusko County Welfare League.