Marilyn Marcene Downing, 92, of rural Bloomfield, Iowa passed away on November 12, 2025 at her home. She was born on July 10, 1933 in Davis County, Iowa to Kenneth Harold and Melva Irene Dooley McClure. She graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1950. On October 11, 1953 she married Harvey LaVerne Downing at the Bethlehem Church in Davis County. The couple spent many wonderful years together raising three children and working on their dairy farm. Harvey passed away on November 24, 1993.
Marilyn was a longtime active member of the Bethlehem Church. She was the piano player for 65 years, taught Sunday school, and was involved in Ladies’ Aide volunteering her time for many church functions. She was an avid quilter and a 4H leader for over 20 years. Marilyn had recently been attending the Floris Baptist Church. She worked at Tri-County Shopper in Bloomfield for over 20 years. Her family and friends will miss her greatly.
She is survived by three sons, Kenneth (Betty) Downing of Brimfield, Illinois, Phil Downing (Penny) of Bloomfield, Jeff (Renee) Downing of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; foreign exchange son, Dr. Luis “Luichi” (Amalia) Lopez of Asunción, Paraguay; six grandchildren, Leslie (Derick) Uhler, Carrie (Jeff) Innis, Isaac (Rachel) Downing, Caleb (Sara) Downing, Kendra (David) Sutton, Katie (Natasha) Downing; 16 great-grandchildren; two great-great-granddaughters; brother, Dennis McClure of Bloomfield; sister, Eunice Hill of Bloomfield; two sisters-in-law, Sue Zylstra of Des Moines, Iowa, Bonnie McClure of Largo, Florida; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; great-grandchild, Logan Innis; brother, Robert McClure; grandson-in-law, Chad Patroff; and a brother-in-law, Ivan Hill.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, November 17, 2025 at the Wagler Funeral Home in Bloomfield with Pastors Jesse Hill and Mel Kendall officiating. Burial will be at the IOOF Cemetery in Bloomfield. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday with the family present to greet friends from 4-6:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials have been established to the Floris Baptist Church, Samaritan’s Purse, and Good Samaritan Society Hospice in Ottumwa.
