Obituary for Earl William Downing Reverend Earl William Downing June 25, 1928 – December 6, 2018 Rev. Earl William Downing passed away on Thursday, December 6, 2018 at the age of 90. Earl was born June 25, 1928 to Victoria and Columbus Downing of Detroit, MI, graduated from Mackenzie High (‘46), Wayne State University (BA ’51 & MSW ’62) and the Oberlin Graduate School of Theology (MDIV ’54).
Earl and Gloria Klepser were married in February 1951, married 65 years when Gloria passed away in December 2016. Earl and Gloria are survived by 4 children: Susan (Paul) Zahasky, Tim Downing, Laura (John) Jameson, and Paul (Janine) Downing: 6 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Earl served as a Methodist minister for several churches in the Detroit area and northern OH from 1950–1962.
Earl then served as the director of several children’s homes and youth services in OH, IA, NE and MI, from 1962-1979. From 1979 until his retirement in 1993, Earl worked as a Licensing Consultant for the MI Dept. of Social Services.
Throughout his working career, Earl held numerous leadership positions in social welfare agencies regarding youth, alcoholism, mental health, and residential treatment centers. Earl was an active member of the Methodist Churches in the various cities where he lived. After retirement, Earl led several mission trips with Volunteers in Mission, a mission branch of the United Methodist Church, and received their Volunteer of the Year Award in 2002.
In the Brighton community, Earl served with the Livingston Co. United Way, the Performing Arts Center and a two-year term on the Brighton School Board. He also sustained his love of the performing arts with acting and singing roles in local community theaters and singing with several community choral groups. Visitation, with light appetizers, will be held at Brighton First United Methodist Church, 400 E. Grand River, Brighton, MI from Noon to 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 9, 2019, immediately followed by a 2:00 PM Celebration of Life/Memorial Service.
In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting donations to the American Cancer Society and Volunteers in Mission. Earl William Downing 1928 – 2018 Plant a Tree In Memory of Your Loved One Click Here Menu Subscribe to Updates Click Here Obituary for Earl William Downing Reverend Earl William Downing June 25, 1928 – December 6, 2018 Rev. Earl William Downing passed away on Thursday, December 6, 2018 at the age of 90.
Earl was born June 25, 1928 to Victoria and Columbus Downing of Detroit, MI, graduated from Mackenzie High (‘46), Wayne State University (BA ’51 & MSW ’62) and the Oberlin Graduate School of Theology (MDIV ’54). Earl and Gloria Klepser were married in February 1951, married 65 years when Gloria passed away in December 2016. Earl and Gloria are survived by 4 children: Susan (Paul) Zahasky, Tim Downing, Laura (John) Jameson, and Paul (Janine) Downing: 6 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
Earl served as a Methodist minister for several churches in the Detroit area and northern OH from 1950–1962. Earl then served as the director of several children’s homes and youth services in OH, IA, NE and MI, from 1962-1979. From 1979 until his retirement in 1993, Earl worked as a Licensing Consultant for the MI Dept.
of Social Services. Throughout his working career, Earl held numerous leadership positions in social welfare agencies regarding youth, alcoholism, mental health, and residential treatment centers. Earl was an active member of the Methodist Churches in the various cities where he lived.
After retirement, Earl led several mission trips with Volunteers in Mission, a mission branch of the United Methodist Church, and received their Volunteer of the Year Award in 2002. In the Brighton community, Earl served with the Livingston Co. United Way, the Performing Arts Center and a two-year term on the Brighton School Board. He also sustained his love of the performing arts with acting and singing roles in local community theaters and singing with several community choral groups.
Visitation, with light appetizers, will be held at Brighton First United Methodist Church, 400 E. Grand River, Brighton, MI from Noon to 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 9, 2019, immediately followed by a 2:00 PM Celebration of Life/Memorial Service. In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting donations to the American Cancer Society and Volunteers in Mission.
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