For the past 35 years, The Woodstock Independent has been publishing articles about local educators who are retiring. We ran our first one in 1990, wh…
July 2, 2025
Dale E. Downing 77, Woodstock, died Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015, at his home.
He was born Feb. 13, 1938, to Eugene and Irma (Austin) Downing in Woodstock. On April 18, 1959, he married Beverly Skinner.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1958. He was employed by Commonwealth Edison for 37 years. He was a 57 year member of the Woodstock Moose Lodge, and the American Legion.
His hobbies included working with horses, fishing and hunting. He was a licensed pilot and he enjoyed woodworking.
Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Debra (Chuck) Perenchio and Denise (Richard) Riggs; five grandchildren, Josh Widmayer, Katie (Chris) Olson, Amy (Rudy) Torres, Brian (Ashley) Riggs and Stephanie Riggs; two sisters, Patsy (Leo) Nellessen and Nancy Ryan; and many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Bradley Downing; a granddaughter, Ashley Riggs; three brothers, Eugene Downing Jr., Richard Downing and Robert Downing.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, at Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, 1211 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock. The visitation will continue from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. funeral at the funeral home Friday, Dec. 4. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery, Woodstock.
Memorials can be made to Hospice or Woodstock Rescue Squad.
