Donna Fay (Wendel) McDowell

Donna Fay Wendel McDowell, aged eighty-one, passed away Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

Donna was born on June 4, 1942, to Wilburn Wayne and Frieda Elizabeth Caroline Schlegel Wendel in Cape Girardeau, MO. Donna and her high school sweetheart, David Price McDowell, were married on November 13, 1960, at Emanuel United Church of Christ where Donna was both baptized and confirmed. They had been married 62 years when David passed away on February 22, 2023.

She was a 1960 graduate of Jackson Public School. Donna participated in the high school band playing clarinet in the marching band and the bass clarinet in the concert band. She loved marching in parades.

After high school, Donna was employed by the MO Division of Welfare and later Jackson
Hosiery Co. She left that employment to join her husband in forming his construction company where they built many fine homes in the eight subdivisions, they developed in the Fruitland community.

In later life Donna worked 21 years for Drury Company and later nine years at the Drury Hotels National Call Center both in Cape Girardeau. MO.

Donna is survived by her brother Jerry Wendel of Sedgewickville, MO, a sister-in-law, Martha Clark of St. Louis, MO, a brother-in-law Fred David (Carol) Cheek of Mesa AZ, three nieces, Amy (Chris) Lewis of Mesa, AZ. Angela Scott of Jackson, MO, and Mandi (Cory) Nordin of Cedar Hill, MO, also three nephews, Trenton Swick of Imperial, MO, and Chris and Darrin Wendel of Jackon, MO, along with several great nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, her husband David, a infant baby girl, two sisters-in-law, Nancy Cheek of Mesa, AZ. and Patsy Wendel of Jackson, MO, and two brothers-in-law, William Swick and Wayne Clark.

A memorial visitation will start at 1:00 pm on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church in Fruitland, MO.

A memorial service will follow at the church at 2 pm with Rev. Sam Roethemeyer officiating.

A graveside service will follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts are suggested for Emanuel United Church of Christ in Jackson, the Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church Cemetery Fund in Jackson, MO, or Southeast Pets (formerly the Cape Girardeau Humane Society, in Cape Girardeau).

 

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