Charles W. Downard

Charles W. Downard, 92, passed away Monday, November 2, 2009 at Bright Kavanagh House. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, November 5, 2009 at Hamilton's Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street. Burial will follow at Laurel Hill Cemetery where military honors will be provided.

Charles was born June 13, 1917 in Creston, Iowa to Robert and Alice Downard. He moved to Des Moines in 1942. Charles proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1944 until 1946. He worked for Firestone Tire & Rubber until 1979 when he started his own plumbing company, Downard Plumbing.

Charles is survived by his children, Charlotte (Ralph) Testa, Charles E. (Leilani) Downard, Barbara Downard and Teresa Brown; brother, Rex Downard; nine grandchildren,16 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Fern, in 1999.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, November 4, 2009, at the funeral home, with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Bright Kavanagh House in loving memory of Charles.

www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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