Biography Of Donald David Downen Sr. Donald David Downen Sr. was born June 3, 1915 in a doctor's ...
Biography Of Donald David Downen Sr.
Donald David Downen Sr. was born June 3, 1915 in a doctor's houes on East St. Louis Street; West Frankfort, Franklin County, Illinois, near his parents home. Donald was the third child of Clarence Frederick and Denia Ethel (Smart) Downen. His father was born in Burnt Prarie Township, White County, Illinois on September 15, 1882, the son of Job and Hanna (Hutchinson) Downen. His mother, Ethyl, was born on July 31, 1888, in Brushy, Saline County, Illinois, the daughter of Rev. William T. and Sarah 'Sally' (Horn) Smart. Donald graduated from West Frankfort High School in 1933 and later continued his education at Evansville College, Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana, where he took classes in religion. Donald was married to Hazel Marie Treece on November 22, 1934 in Galatia, Saline County, Illinois. His maternal grandfather, the Reverend Willie T. Smart officiated.
As newlyweds, Donald and Hazel moved to Carmi, White County, Illinois in 1939, opening Downen Furniture on North Church Street. Over the next 25 years, Donald built some 50 houses and commercial buildings in Carmi. In 1940, he built a new furniture store building on North Walnut Street. Later bought the Walton and Stein Furniture and Funeral Directors business at 208 East Main Street, remodeled it, and it became the second Downen Furniture Store in Carmi. Since merchanise was difficult to obtain at the time, Donald decided to open The Donald Downen Couch Factory on Lagoon Drive, later building a larger and more modern brick building at 1600 West Oak Street. An expansion and warehouses were to follow. Other interests were starting the Egyptian Vault Company, being a director of radio station, WROY and the Carmi Times newspaper; all of Carmi, White County, Illinois.
Donald was a Christian and a member of the First United Methodist Church. He was a Sunday School teacher, song leader, lay leader and speaker and member of the church's official board. He was also a past member of the Carmi Kiwanis Club and the Carmi Chamber of Commerce.
Donald and Hazel had three children: Donald David Jr. (who died at birth), Donna Kay (Who married Harold Ray Meriwether), of Carmi, White County, Illinois, and Charles Frederick (Who married June Carole Madden) of Merritt Island, Brevard County, Florida. Donald Had four grandchildren: Bruce Ray Meriwether, Susan Kay Meriwether (Keck), both of Carmi; Shannon Jill Downen (Cook), of Normal, McLean County, Illinois; and Stephen Charles Downen, of Merritt Island, Brevard County, Florida. He also had two great-grandchildren: Larrin Keck of Carmi and Kaila Klopfstein, of Normal, McLean County, Illinois.
Donald passed away on June 19, 1993 in the Carmi Skilled Care Unit. Hazel preceeded him in death at Deaconess Hospital; Evansville, Indiana, December 11, 1979. Written by Donna Kay (Downen) Meriwether, (Donald's daughter) for the White County Illinois, History and Families, Carmi Kiwanis Club, Limited Edition, Printed in the United States, Copyright 2001.
Personal database of Charles Frederick Downen and Thomas Wallace Faircloth; Year 2010 (Merritt Island, Brevard County, Florida, USA). Notes have been edited by Charles Frederick Downen (Son of Donald David Downen Sr.) - November 1, 2010.
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