Mary Jo Downing

  Mary Jo Downing, 86, of Peru, IN. passed away at 9:30 AM. Wednesday, October 23, 2019, at her residence.  She was born in Peru on June 2, 1933, the daughter of Warder and Dorothy Troutman Oates.  Mary Jo married Francis Downing at the St. Charles Catholic Church in Peru on June 3, 1953 and he survives.

  Following graduation from Peru High School in  1951,  Mary Jo attended Ball State University for one year.  She then returned home and went to work for the Wabash Valley Bank and Trust Co, were she worked intermittently retiring as Assistant Manager of the Broadway Plaza Branch in 1990.

  Mary Jo was a member of the St. Charles Catholic Church,  the Altar and Rosary Society, Dukes Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, the Miami County Women's Golf Assn. and the YMCA Bowling League.  An avid bridge player she belonged to several bridge clubs

  Family was very important to Mary Jo.  She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend.  She always made everyone she came into contact with feel extra special.  Her gift was her ability to touch each person’s life that she met through her selfless and caring personality.  Mary Jo never met a stranger.

  Surviving in addition to her husband, Francis, are her children David Warder Downing, Peru; Steven Joseph (Jennifer) Downing, Westfield, IN. and Beth (Virgil) Barker, Peru, grandchildren Jason (Roxanne) Fread, Amy Fread, Nicholas Downing and Sarah Downing and great-grandchildren Dylan and Fiona Fread.

  A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating the life of Mary Jo Downing will be held at

 10:30 AM, Saturday, October26, 2019,  at the St. Charles Catholic Church, 58 W, 5th, Peru with Rev. Paul Cochran officiating.  Burial will be in Mt Hope Cemetery.  Family and friends will gather from 4:00-8:00 PM, Friday  at the Eikenberry-Eddy Funeral Home , 84 W. Main, Peru.  There will be a Prayer Service at 8:00PM Friday  at the Funeral Home.

  In lieu of flowers,  memorial donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul or Miami County Helping Hands.  

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