ABINGDON - Vivian Rose Atwater Dowell, 88, of Oviedo, Fla., formerly of Abingdon, passed away on Monday, Jan. 25, 2010.

She was born Aug. 3, 1921, in Sandusky, Ohio, to the late Ernest and Olivia Atwater. On Aug. 31, 1941, in Kahoka, Mo., she married Raymond R. Dowell, they were married for 65 years until he passed away on Nov. 17, 2006.

Her son, Robert R. Dowell; sister, Lois Caves; and three brothers, Tom, John and Richard Atwater, also preceded her in death.

Survivors include her son, David R. Dowell (Janell) of Plano, Texas; daughter-in-law, Cynthia Dowell of Grandberry, Texas; grandchildren, Lori (Chamma) Skipper of Oviedo, Fla., Bradley (Cynde) Dowell of Tipton, Ind., Nicole Dowell of Plano, Texas, Gregory Dowell of Quitman, Texas, and Chad Dowell of Grandberry, Texas; stepgrandchildren, Brian (Katie) French of Lafayette, Colo., and Amber (Daniel) Sekulic of Kempsey, Australia; great-grandchildren, Mallori Skipper (Steven King) of Largo, Fla., Alex Skipper of Oviedo, Fla., Dustin (Cody) Dowell of Tipton, Ind., and Kristina (Ned) Carmichael of Tipton, Ind.

While she was a resident of Illinois, she was employed at various factories, and after many years of service, she retired from Gales Outboard Marine in Galesburg, Ill.

She was an active member of Carmel Christian Church and the Rebecca Circle in Carmel, Ind.

Her hobbies included crafts, crocheting, jewelry pieces and garage sales. Her greatest joy in her life was spending time with her loving husband and making friends everywhere she called home.

Vivian lived in various places throughout the country, including Ohio, Washington, Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and Florida.

Family and friends will gather from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, at Carmel Christian Church, 463 E. Main St., Carmel, Ind. A celebration of life will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 29, at the church. Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, in Abingdon Cemetery in Abingdon, Ill. Care and arrangements were entrusted to the Leppert Mortuary, Smith-Carmel Chapel, 900 N. Rangeline Road, Carmel, Ind.

You are invited to visit www.leppertmortuary.com, where you may sign the online guest book, leave a personal message for the family or make a memorial contribution to Carmel Christian Church.

Published in the Peoria Journal Star on 1/27/2010