Edward Dowling
Edward Marshall Dowling 12/18/1942-9/20/25
Dear Dad,
Jackie and I sit here looking to occupy our time as we watch you sleep. We thought we’d share some things we will remember about you and your life. Our account is of a father with great talents and human flaws whom we love for who he was and who he tried to be.
You are the third child and second son of Orrie and Flossie, born on 12/18/42 during World War II, and you have the ration stamps to prove it. Your sisters, Earlene White and Sondra Dunavan, have gone on before you, leaving just you and your older brother Bill.
A Seeger High School junior, you met Mom in 1959 and spent 63 eventful years together before she was called home in June of 2022. Rossville, Hedrick, Hoopeston, and finally Danville—provided the setting for your life. By 1969 you had four girls and lived in a huge old brick house that was a bit past its’ prime. You cleaned up the property and tore down the dilapidated house, replacing it with a tiny but brand new-to-you modular home. You and Mom stayed there until all four of us were grown.
You worked. And worked. And worked. We know you washed dishes, mowed cemeteries, framed houses, repaired cars, pumped gas, farmed, and finished your paid work as a maintenance mechanic at Teepak in 2005. We’ll remember your tenacious work ethic, pressed plaid shirts, black steel-toed 12EEEs and your talent to build or repair just about anything.
Like men of your generation, you were not affectionate. You showed love by painting our cars, putting up basketball goals, and surprising us with horses, ponies, and a few dogs. You gifted at least two grandkids with trucks and restored two tractors from the ground up, designating them for your great grandsons. It pained you to hear that your children or grandchildren were struggling, and you helped, followed by a flurry of making things “equal.”
Unequivocally, Amy was your favorite. You were gentler with her and did what you could to make her life easier. One of many memories is the shiny red golf cart you restored, fit with hand controls, clean white upholstery, and “AMY” in gold letters across the front. Unable to run or ride a bike, that golfcart was her taste of freedom. On an infrequent family trip, we drove to Rockome Gardens which boasted an elaborate treehouse attraction. All 6’4”, 240 pounds of you held 8-year-old Amy in your arms, navigating the steep ladder to let her experience it firsthand. Losing Amy in 2002 was tough on all of us but maybe harder for you as her father and protector. Soon you’ll rest beside Amy and Mom.
It was a lucky animal that came your way, and you taught us that to let a water dish or trough go dry was unpardonable. You were known to take your horse for a ride in the trailer with no real destination in mind. “Moe” and “Cujo” enjoyed the scenery perched atop a wooden platform built in the back of your truck for that very purpose. Both dogs loved their rides in carts you built and towed behind your minibikes on Thompson Avenue looking like the world’s smallest circus was coming to town. Most mornings involved a trip to McDonald’s where the dogs would split a sausage biscuit for their breakfast.
Praise or attention was uncomfortable for you and social settings were an anathema. You were known for making an appearance at a family function followed by a silent escape or a quick goodbye since you had to get home to feed whatever animals you had at the time. We may not have known you were leaving until we saw the taillights of your red Prius wagon driving away.
We hope your pain ends soon, and you can slip away to join Mom, Carmen, Amy, and the others gone before. It gives us tremendous peace that through this brutal illness, your heart and mind turned to thoughts of eternity and a steadfast belief in your redemption through Christ. With the utmost confidence we can say, “See you later”. Your love and imperfections will be missed.
Our dad, Ed Dowling, leaves behind a brother, Bill Dowling (Norma), two daughters, Jackie Long (John) and Tracey Minnicus (Steve), 11 grandchildren, Thomas Long (Stephanie), Timothy Long, Katharine Cox (Matt), Elizabeth Claxton (Matt), Jared Slaven, Molly Kate Slaven, Amy Grace “Gracie” Slaven-Gosnell (Aaron), Joseph Schmit (Jamie), Jesse Schmit (Esther), Kristin Jones (Courtney), and Ashley Hoskins (Jordan Lamb); and 11 great grandchildren, Levi Long, Jackson and Rylan Cox, Kail, Grayson and Kira Slaven, Amelia Claxton, and Parker and Asher Jones. Also surviving are two sisters-in-law, Kathy Martin (Lloyd, dec.) and Sharon Yoder (Ron, dec.) and son-in- law, Kim Hoskins. He was preceded in death by wife, Shirley Dowling (Taylor) and two daughters, Amy Keller and Carmen Hoskins.
Visitation will be held from 11:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. CDT on Friday, September 26, 2025, at Anderson Funeral Home, 427 E. Main St. Hoopeston, IL. The funeral service will follow the visitation and will begin at 12:00 P.M. CDT on Friday at the funeral home with Ken Pavlick officiating. Burial will follow in Floral Hill Cemetery in Hoopeston.
The family requests no flowers please, but donations may be made to a food bank or animal shelter of the donor’s choice.