Lyle A. "Al" Downen's Obituary
Lyle A. "Al" Downen, age 68, of Pinckneyville, IL, passed away on Tuesday, July 2, 2019 at 6:01 p.m. in his home.
Al was born on May 2, 1951 in Perry County, IL, a son to Lyle and Lillian M. (Woodside) Downen, Jr. He was a proud veteran of the United States Air Force having served in the Vietnam War and obtaining the rank of Sergeant. On October 21, 1972, he married Mary Estelle Smith in St. Ann Catholic Church, Nashville, IL and she preceded him in death on April 7, 2016. Al had worked as an underground coal miner at Peabody Coal Company for 25 years and later as a truck driver for Star Transport for 18 years. He was a member of St. Bruno Catholic Church, Pinckneyville, IL and the U.M.W.A. Al enjoyed anything outdoors, including, gardening, hunting, fishing, softball, and mowing grass. He loved visiting with friends and "wreaking havoc" around town.
Survivors include his daughter, Mary Lynn (David) Carns of Pinckneyville, IL; two sons, Robert (Jennifer) Downen of San Antonio, TX, and Todd (Letitia) Downen of Fairview Heights, IL; a sister, Jean (Brian) Hill of Tamaroa, IL; a brother-in-law, Bernard (Carol) Smith, Jr. of Pinckneyville, IL; three sisters-in-law, Janet Smith of Pinckneyville, IL, Margaret Maschhoff of Nashville, IL, and Brenda Smith of Mt Prospect, IL; ten grandchildren, Kaleb Hubler, Allison (Keith) Smith, Tyler Downen, Logan Downen, Tucker Downen, Jennifer Carns, Lindsay Carns, Todd (Cassidy) Carns, Lucy Downen, and Kolbi Carns; four great-grandchildren, Alayna, Bryson, Avery, and Joseph; his best friend, Jim Stevenson of Pinckneyville, IL; a special niece, Barb Stevenson; and numerous other nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary E. Downen; parents-in-law, Bernard and Eunice Smith, Sr.; and a nephew, Shawn Schwartzkopf.
Funeral mass will be held at St. Bruno Catholic Church, Pinckneyville IL on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. with Father Augustine Imezimako and Father Brian Barker officiating. Interment will be in St. Bruno Cemetery, Pinckneyville, IL with military graveside rites by Presswood-Daffron American Legion Post #2504, Pinckneyville, IL.
Visitation will be at St. Bruno Catholic Church, Pinckneyville, IL on Monday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Tuesday morning at the church from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. The Rosary will be recited at 10:30 a.m.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Bruno Catholic Church or School or the Mary E. Downen Memorial Fund.
Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, IL has been entrusted with arrangements.
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