Obituary for John McDowell
John E. McDowell, age 85, of Plainfield, Ohio, received his heavenly wings on Wednesday, September 29, 2021 at Community Hospice Truman House in New Philadelphia, Ohio after a period of declining health. His wife was by his side.
John was born on April 11, 1936 in Nappanee, IN to Wiley and Esther (Beechy) McDowell and was raised in the Sugarcreek area in Ohio.
He graduated from Sugarcreek-Shanesville High School in 1954 and while in school, he was a Statistician for the basketball team. He then attended Bluffton College and while there, he helped improve and maintained the College's radio equipment for fun. He then graduated from Case Western Reserve in 1959 with an Bachelors Degree in Engineering.
He married Beatrice "BJ" (Weidman) on Valentine's Day in 1997 on the platform of "Mr. T" in Plainfield, Ohio She survives.
John worked for Cox Communications for many years before retiring as the regional head electrical engineer.
He also obtained his General amateur ham radio license and continued this hobby for many years. He was also the regional representative on the Ohio Historical Boiler Board for many years. He tuned the church organ in Coshocton for a number of years and especially enjoyed working on the old band organs.
Johns true love was steam. He enjoyed the steam locomotives and mostly the one's from the Lima Works. His favorite was #765.
He built the first "power eater", a portable generator that many traction engines helped to see how much calculated power they could pull. He also was the pioneer of building a portable generator for entertainment and power quantification at steam shows. He attended many steam powered shows through the summer's and at one time, owned 3 Baker Steam Traction Engines and "Mr. T" was his favorite. He kept the Baker list book and held information on where all the Baker engines are today. He was called, "Baker John".
He calculated psi for Prints building of replacement boilers for replacement of engines that the JS Company built.
John always wore a red polka dot hat and for many years, played a tuba in the Sugarcreek amateur band.
In addition to his beloved wife, he is survived by his children, Jim McDowell and Phil McDowell both of Hillsdale, MI and grandchildren, Randal McDowell of Houton, MI and Georgia McDowell of Ann Arbor, MI; a sister, Barb (George) Smucker of Goshen, IN; a step-daughter, Christine (Adam) Hartley of Coshocton and a step-grandchild, Shane Horstman of the home in Coshocton; numerous extended family and friends.
His parents precedes him in death.
It was his previous wish that there be no public services.
A private Life Celebration will take place at a later date at the convenience of the family.
Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to: Community Hospice Truman House, 719 Commercial Ave. SW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.
Custer-Glenn Funeral Home in Wooster is honored with serving the family.
Private or public words of condolences may be shared with the family at: www.custerglenn.com.
John was born on April 11, 1936 in Nappanee, IN to Wiley and Esther (Beechy) McDowell and was raised in the Sugarcreek area in Ohio.
He graduated from Sugarcreek-Shanesville High School in 1954 and while in school, he was a Statistician for the basketball team. He then attended Bluffton College and while there, he helped improve and maintained the College's radio equipment for fun. He then graduated from Case Western Reserve in 1959 with an Bachelors Degree in Engineering.
He married Beatrice "BJ" (Weidman) on Valentine's Day in 1997 on the platform of "Mr. T" in Plainfield, Ohio She survives.
John worked for Cox Communications for many years before retiring as the regional head electrical engineer.
He also obtained his General amateur ham radio license and continued this hobby for many years. He was also the regional representative on the Ohio Historical Boiler Board for many years. He tuned the church organ in Coshocton for a number of years and especially enjoyed working on the old band organs.
Johns true love was steam. He enjoyed the steam locomotives and mostly the one's from the Lima Works. His favorite was #765.
He built the first "power eater", a portable generator that many traction engines helped to see how much calculated power they could pull. He also was the pioneer of building a portable generator for entertainment and power quantification at steam shows. He attended many steam powered shows through the summer's and at one time, owned 3 Baker Steam Traction Engines and "Mr. T" was his favorite. He kept the Baker list book and held information on where all the Baker engines are today. He was called, "Baker John".
He calculated psi for Prints building of replacement boilers for replacement of engines that the JS Company built.
John always wore a red polka dot hat and for many years, played a tuba in the Sugarcreek amateur band.
In addition to his beloved wife, he is survived by his children, Jim McDowell and Phil McDowell both of Hillsdale, MI and grandchildren, Randal McDowell of Houton, MI and Georgia McDowell of Ann Arbor, MI; a sister, Barb (George) Smucker of Goshen, IN; a step-daughter, Christine (Adam) Hartley of Coshocton and a step-grandchild, Shane Horstman of the home in Coshocton; numerous extended family and friends.
His parents precedes him in death.
It was his previous wish that there be no public services.
A private Life Celebration will take place at a later date at the convenience of the family.
Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to: Community Hospice Truman House, 719 Commercial Ave. SW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.
Custer-Glenn Funeral Home in Wooster is honored with serving the family.
Private or public words of condolences may be shared with the family at: www.custerglenn.com.