Ellis County Obituary
Debolt Cemetery

aka Arnett

© Shaw-Redinger Funeral Home
VICI, DEWEY CO, OK
(permission granted)
Submitted by: Ann Weber

SHIRLEY DOWLER

October 29, 1927 - February 04, 2018

Shirley Marie (McCulloch) Dowler was born on October 29, 1927 at Arnett, OK. and passed from this life on February 4, 2018 at the age of 90 years. She was the middle child of Orvie and Eunice (Hammons) McCulloch.

As a child she enjoyed many happy hours with her siblings, Sibyl and Robert, at their Grandma McNutt’s farm located 7 miles south of Arnett, they played with the water pump and searched for arrow heads. Another joy was picking flowers from their mother’s flower garden, making May baskets, ringing doorbells around town and running before the lucky recipient of the flowers could answer the door. She also learned the art of sewing and when she was 5 and Sibyl was 7 they pieced together their first quilt.

A self-proclaimed tomboy, she once climbed the sign in front of her father’s gas station during the dust bowl days, resulting in no one being able to find her as a dust storm moved in as she was on top of the sign. Shirley attended school at Arnett where she was active in 4-H and played the cornet in the high school band. She graduated with the class of 1946. She was also active in the youth group at the United Methodist church and summers were spent going from camp to camp, from Stillwater, OK to Goodwell, Ok.

While in downtown Arnett with a friend during her junior year of high school Shirley saw Forrest Dowler who was home on leave from the Army. Shirley told her friend that was the guy she was going to marry and marry him she did! Forrest and Shirley eloped and were united in marriage at Guymon, OK. on May 16, 1945. In 1946, while Shirley was on her senior trip, Forrest purchased the house they would call home for many years. Their home was blessed with three children, Georgia Marie in 1947, John Clinton in 1951 and James Grant in 1955.

Shirley assisted Ross and Darlene Miller at the tag office in Arnett before becoming employed by Arnett Public school as the school secretary in August of 1960, a position she took very seriously for 26 years, retiring on October 1, 1986. Her special interest and hobbies included reading, painting, crocheting, knitting and creating many beautiful quilts. In 2003 Shirley moved from Arnett to Buffalo, Ok. and in 2008 she moved to Woodward, Ok. where she resided at the time of her passing.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Forrest in 1974, her parents, Orvie and Eunice, her beloved daughter, Marie Suthers and her sister, Sibyl Hendrix.

Those cherishing her memory are her sons, Clinton Dowler and wife Betty of Laverne, OK. and Grant Dowler and wife Barbara of Arnett, OK. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren, Dr. Sara and husband Dr. Todd Regier and their children Henry, Alexandra and Caroline. John Suthers and wife LaKrissa and their children, Jadyn and Jaxon. Nicole Dowler and her children, Allyson and Braeden. Julie Eilers and husband Justin and their children, Emily, Annabelle, Dennis and Eva. Jeri Morrison and husband J.C. and their children, Mary, John, Caleb and Rebecca. John Dowler and wife Jenna and their children, Josalynn and Jaxsen. Gina White and husband Troy and their children Hunter, Cooper and Tyson. Stacia Cole and husband, Dusty and their children Rowdy and Kaylin. Jaret Dowler and wife Elizabeth and their children, Carlie, Jadyn and Brooks. Her brother, Robert McCulloch of Palm Springs, CA.; son-in-law Dr. Neal Suthers of Buffalo, OK; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends and numerous Arnett High School students.

Funeral Service
Thursday, February 08, 2018
1:30 PM
First Christian Church of Arnett
122 Jefferson St.
Arnett, OK 73832
Burial following service at DeBolt Cemetery, Arnett, OK.