Donna McDowell

Donna Fay Wendel McDowell, 81, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023, at Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

Donna was born June 4, 1942, to Wilburn Wayne and Frieda Elizabeth Caroline Schlegel Wendel in Cape Girardeau. She and her high school sweetheart, David Price McDowell, were married Nov. 13, 1960, at Emanuel United Church of Christ, where Donna was both baptized and confirmed. They had been married 62 years when David passed away Feb. 22, 2023.

Donna was a 1960 graduate of Jackson High School. She participated in the high school band, playing clarinet in the marching band and bass clarinet in the concert band. She loved marching in parades.

After high school, Donna was employed by Missouri Division of Welfare and later Jackson Hosiery Co. She left that employment to join her husband in forming his construction company, building many fine homes in the eight subdivisions they developed in the Fruitland community.

In later life, Donna worked 21 years for Drury Company and later nine years at Drury Hotels National Call Center, both in Cape Girardeau.

She is survived by her brother, Jerry Wendel of Sedgewickville, Missouri; sister-in-law, Martha Clark of St. Louis; brother-in-law, Fred David (Carol) Cheek of Mesa, Arizona; three nieces, Amy (Chris) Lewis of Mesa, Angela Scott of Jackson and Mandi (Cory) Nordin of Cedar Hill, Missouri; three nephews, Trenton Swick of Imperial, Missouri, and Chris and Darrin Wendel of Jackson; along with several great-nieces and -nephews.

Donna was predeceased by her parents; husband, David; an infant daughter; two sisters-in-law, Nancy Cheek of Mesa and Patsy Wendel of Jackson; and two brothers-in-law, William Swick and Wayne Clark.

A memorial visitation will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church in Fruitland.

A memorial service will follow at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at the church, with the Rev. Sam Roethemeyer officiating. A graveside service will follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts are suggested for Emanuel United Church of Christ in Jackson, Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church Cemetery Fund in Jackson or Southeast Missouri Pets, formerly Humane Society of Southeast Missouri, in Cape Girardeau.

McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center is in charge of arrangements.