Raymond J. Dowsett

Raymond J. Dowsett, 93, of Viola, died Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009, at Trinity West, Rock Island. Services are 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, at Dennison Funeral Home, Viola. Burial is at Viola Cemetery. Visitation is 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Viola United Methodist Church or Viola Fire Department. He was born Oct. 23, 1915, in Matherville, son of Joseph and Grace Hailstone Dowsett. He married Marietta M. Gustafson Feb. 20, 1937, in Rock Island. She preceded him in death Aug. 16, 2009. Mr. Dowsett was the manager of Farmers Grain & Supply Co., Viola, for 28 years, retiring in 1977. He enjoyed traveling with his wife and playing bingo. Raymond was a member of the Viola United Methodist Church and Viola Senior Citizens. He served as secretary and treasurer of Greene Township Fire District for 10 years. Mr. Dowsett also served 25 years on the Viola Telephone Board, 15 years as president. Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Robert Caldwell, Viola; son and daughter-in-law, Donald and Fran Dowsett, Sun City West, Ariz.; seven grandchildren, Chris and Tom McKeag, Curt and Alisa Caldwell, Cheryl and Russell Jenkins, Dena and Josh Jones, Darek Dowsett, Debra and Cole Mitchell and Denita Reed; 11 great-grandchildren, Shane and Christi McKeag, Shawn, Andrea and Alex McKeag, Courtnie Rigg, Alexa, Kaylee and Landon Caldwell, Josh Reed, Dalton and Travis Mitchell; great-great-granddaughter, Adalyn McKeag; brother, Max Dowsett, California. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; siblings, Willard, Lucille and Betty; grandson-in-law, Randy Reed; and great-great-grandson, Kailer McKeag.