John Henry Dowling, Jr., 78, of Charleston, MO, passed away Sunday, October 9, 2011 at the Charleston Manor.

He was born June 27, 1933 in Lilbourn, MO to John Henry Dowling, Sr. and Geneva Copeland Dowling. He was a graduate of Diehlstadt High School and the University of Missouri.

On July 11, 1959 he married Beverly Jean Morrow.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly Morrow Dowling, an infant son, Charles Copeland Dowling, and his parents John and Geneva Dowling.

Surviving are his four children: Malette (Charles) Reed of Heath, TX, Denise Dowling of Suwanee, GA, Jay (Kelly) Dowling of Holly Springs, NC and Michelle Dowling of Paducah, KY; five granddaughters: Stephanie and Elizabeth Reed of Heath, TX and Ashley, Kathryn and Shannon Dowling of Holly Springs, NC; his brother Melvin (Karen) Dowling of Dyersburg, TN and three nephews and two nieces.

Visitation will be Wednesday, October 12 from 5 pm to 7 pm at McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston.

Funeral services will be on Thursday, October 13 at 11:00 am in the chapel at McMikle Funeral Home with Rev. Dr. Larry Potts officiating.

Burial will follow at IOOF Cemetery in Charleston, MO.

Pallbearers will be:
Randy Brazel,
Chance Dowling,
Brad Hequembourg,
Mark Meisenheimer,
Chuck Wade and
Brad Wyant

Honorary pallbearers:
Larry Brazel,
Dick Hearnes,
Terry Hequembourg and
Richard Pike

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to Mighty Rivers Regional Worship Center in Cairo, 227 11th Street, Cairo, Illinois or the Cairo Public Library, 1609 Washington Ave., Cairo, IL 62914.