Elmer M. Downey

© The Guthrie News Leader

Tuesday, March 11, 2003

Funeral services for Elmer M. Downey, 79, of Coyle will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 13, 2003 at the Coyle First Christian Church with the Rev. Jeff Condray, assisted by the Rev. Don Lawrence, officiating. Burial will follow in Coyle Cemetery under the direction of Davis Funeral Home.

Downey was born April 5, 1923 in Stillwater to Andrew S. and Kathryn (Allison) Downey. He died Monday, March 10, 2003 at Logan Hospital and Medical Center in Guthrie.

Elmer had lived in this area all of his life. He was a lifetime farmer and rancher. A member of the Coyle First Chirstian Church, he served 18 years on the Coyle School Board and was a Coyle 4-H leader. He was also a member of the Coyle Lions Club and the Coyle Roundup Club. Elmer served 32 years as director of the Logan County Soil Conservation Board and also served on the Logan County Blue Cross-Blue Sheild Association. He was a member of the Oklahoma Hereford Association, the Logan and Payne County Cattlemen's Association and was also a member of the American Quarter Horse Association. In 1970, Elmer received the State of Oklahoma Farmer-Rancher of the Year award and the Governor's Conservation Award in 1999.

He married Frances Zawisza on August 1, 1943 in Harrah.

Survivors include his wife, Frances Downey, of the home in Coyle; three daughters, JoAnn Hale and husband Richard of Tulsa, Sharon Maloney and husband Johnny of Jackson, Miss. and Cindy Griss and husband Guy of Sand Springs; three sisters, Ruth Peters and husband Joseph of Philadelphia, Penn., Dorothy Furgal and husband Gustav of Bella Vista, Ark. and Grace Byrd and husband Jack of Bella Vista, Ark.; three brothers, Jack Downey and wife Fern of Perkins, Charles Downey and wife Joan of Yates Center, Kan. and JoWayne Downey and wife Diana of Ocean Shores, Wash.; five grandsons, Jason Hale, Blake Hale, James Downey Maloney, Garrett Griggs and Carson Griggs; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Cecil Downey, Jim T. Downey and Billy Downey.

Friends and relatives may call at Davis funeral home Tuesday until 8 p.m. and Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. The family will received friends at Davis Funeral Home Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m.

The family suggest memorials be made to the Oklahoma Heart Association, 5700 N. Portland, Oklahoma City OK 73112.