James Dean McDowell – Mattoon, IL

83-year-old James Dean McDowell of Mattoon, IL died at 12:30pm on Wednesday, January 6 at his home. He was the co-owner of McDowell Plumbing, Heating, & Air, along with his heavenly, beloved wife Ellen, for 57 years.

J.D. was born on November 21, 1937, in Fairfield, to Glen and Eleanor (Jesop) McDowell. He married Ora Ellen Thomason in Sims, on February 10, 1956.

Survivors include two sons Randy (Cheryl) McDowell and Dan (Lisa) McDowell both of Mattoon, one daughter Sherry (Bill) Closson of Greenup, IL, four grandchildren April Faller, Curtis(Shelby) McDowell, Garrett (Timothy) McDowell,  and Tyler (Brenna) Whitworth, five great grandchildren Austin, Laney, Ava Dawn, Brooklyn Ellen, and Liam, five sisters Glenna Harrison, Sue Murphy, Judi Humphrey, Donna Tatman, Dena Hartke, and one brother Jerry McDowell. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ora Ellen McDowell, his mother and father-in-law, and three brothers Carl, Sam, and Tommy.

A graveside service will be held at 11am on Monday, January 11th, at Maple Hill Cemetery in Fairfield, with a public visitation from 10:30am until the time of service. A public visitation will be held from 4pm-7pm on Sunday, January 10th, at Schilling Funeral Home in Mattoon. Memorial donations can be made to the Lincoln Land Home Care and will be accepted at the Schilling Funeral Home in Mattoon, at the graveside, or at the Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home in Fairfield, which is handling the local arrangements. Everyone is asked to follow the state guidelines for wearing masks and social distancing. Condolences can be made to the family at www.facebook.com/johnsonvaughnfuneralhome.