Clarence Milton McDowell

Clarence Milton McDowell (Clarence) was born on May 1, 1935, as the youngest of four children to William and Ella McDowell of RD#1 Ligonier.  He passed from this life on October 20, 2024. Clarence attended Ligonier Valley High School where he graduated in 1953 and later Ohio Valley University where he received his bachelor’s degree after putting all his children through college.

In 1955 he married the love of his life, Eileen Woleslagle of Ligonier and the couple celebrated 66 years of marriage before she passed away on October 17, 2021. Clarence and Eileen were the proud parents of four daughters, one son, twelve grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren.  While the family grieves at this time, we do so with the confidence of our faith that Dad is now reunited with Mom (as he so desperately wanted to be) and that they are both at home with the Lord.

Clarence was raised on the family farm in RD#1 Ligonier where he learned the value of hard work from his father Bill. Early in life he held a variety of jobs but eventually pursued work in industrial management beginning at Latrobe Steel where he would become the Superintendent of the rolling mill.  When he first began his job there his father told him, “Son, you just work like you work here on the farm and you will never have any trouble keeping a job.”  That was wise counsel that served Clarence well in his life and career.

While working at Latrobe Steel, Clarence began to pursue his metallurgical engineering degree at Carnegie Tech (now Carnegie Mellon University).  While he never finished that degree, he was an engineer by trade and later became the Superintendent at Franklin Steel where he again provided leadership to the rolling mill operations.

In 1977 he left that career to pursue a ministry in preaching.  With Eileen as his co-laborer, they planted churches in Franklin and Kittanning, Pennsylvania.  The McDowells continued their service to congregations of churches of Christ in Berkeley Springs, WV; Baldwyn, MS; and Uniontown, PA. At the time of his death, Clarence was a member of the Oliver Creek church of Christ in Arlington, TN.

Clarence and Eileen believed in Christ-centered education and worked to help their five children go to college.  All of them attended Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, TN, and all of them attained at least a bachelor's degree.  They were particularly proud of their achievements and the fact that they all married godly spouses and raised exceptional families.

Clarence is survived by his 5 children-Ramona Patterson (Lynn), Kim Fussell (Keith), Margaret Reeves (Terry), Scott McDowell (Kay), and Jenny Lovell (Jake); 12 grandchildren-Chris Patterson (Carrie), Rebecca Bush (Sam), Will Patterson (Brittney), Josh Fussell (Amy), Joanna Fussell, Joel Fussell, Nathan Reeves (Karen), Alec McDowell, Cade McDowell, Cole McDowell, Noah Lovell (Mackenzie), and Hope Lovell; 10 great-grandchildren-Watson Patterson, Lila Patterson, Will Bush, Mallory Bush, Violet Patterson, Mason Patterson,  Adalyn Fussell, Karsyn Reeves, Tristan Reeves, and Brixx Jackson; as well as a multitude of nieces and nephews.  

Clarence was preceded in death by his beloved wife—Lorna “Eileen” McDowell; his parents—William and Ella McDowell; his sisters—Irene West (Presley-d), Edith Ressler (Ben-d); and his brother—William Edward “Ed” McDowell (Mildred-d).

Due in large part to the influence of a minister named Joe Lee Connell, Clarence was captivated early in life by the message of Jesus.  Although an introvert by nature, he embraced leadership and took on whatever roles necessary to move Kingdom ventures forward.  He loved to study the Bible, to preach, and especially to tell other people about the Lord.  He was particularly gifted in sharing the gospel in door-to-door evangelism and led many people to Christ in this way.  He had a deep love for people, and for those that knew him well, he had an amazing sense of humor.  He loved to laugh and was a great storyteller.

His tastes and priorities were simple: He loved God, family, country, deer-hunting, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.  While the top two priorities never wavered—the others might rise in importance depending on the season.

Undoubtedly, his greatest passion and achievements were for the Lord and his family, and he was particularly grateful for the impact of the gospel on he and his wife and proud of how that influence lives on in his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Clarence often said that the two greatest decisions he ever made were to follow Jesus and to marry his beloved wife, Eileen.  After Eileen died on the third Sunday in October of 2021, he grieved her loss immensely and longed for their eventual reunion.  That reunion came on the third Sunday of October in 2024. 

While he will be missed deeply by his family and friends, we stand confident in our hope of a similar reunion.

A celebration of Clarence’s life will occur in Ligonier, Pennsylvania with visitation and viewing slated for Thursday, October 24 from 4-6:00 PM at the McCabe Funeral Home, 144 East Main Street, Ligonier and a funeral service to be held on Friday October 25 at 11:00 am at the Church of Christ on the corner of Walnut and Bunger Streets in Ligonier.  His son, Scott McDowell, will officiate.  Interment will follow at the Fort Palmer Cemetery immediately following the service.
Online condolences may be made to www.mccabefuneralhomespa.com