Obituary of Robert F. McDowell

ILION – Robert “Bob” F. McDowell, age 86, of S. Fifth Ave, Ilion, NY, passed away peacefully, on Saturday, June 25, 2022, at Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare, New Hartford, NY, with his family by his side. He was born on April 19, 1936, in South Ilion, NY, the son of Floyd and Ruth (Vandawalker) McDowell and graduated from Mohawk High School. On July 10, 1954, he was married to Dolores “Dee” C. Brant, in the Town of Columbia. Bob was employed as a set up man, at Sperry-Rand, UNIVAC, in Ilion and Utica, for 20 years and Remington Arms Co., for 15 years. He was a member and past Trustee of the Ilion Moose Lodge #1010 and member of the Herkimer Co. Marine Corp League. Bob was an avid left handed Bowler in many local leagues and bowled several 300 games. Surviving family members include his wife, “Dee”; his 3 children, Cynthia “Cindy” Blanchard, of Ilion, Robert “Bob” J. McDowell and his wife, Julie, of Ilion and Brenda Lee Stedman and her husband, Glen, of E. Tennessee; 3 grandsons, Casey Callister and his wife, Maiko, Cory McDowell and his wife, Jackie and Jesse McDowell; 4 great-grandchildren, Kai and Ko Callister and Cole and Ella McDowell; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his 2 sisters, Claris Fischer and Helen Hailston; 1 brother, Howard McDowell; and his parents, Floyd and Ruth McDowell. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home’s original location, at 102 West St., Ilion, NY. A Celebration of Bob’s Life and Prayer Service will immediately follow calling hours, at 4:00 p.m., at the funeral home. Anyone wishing to share a memory of Bob, or add to his online memorial, may go to www.applegateandday.com In lieu of flowers, as an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made payable to CVA CSD Foundation (For the McDowell Family Scholarship), 111 Frederick Street Ilion, NY 13357. Envelopes will also be available at the funeral home. Bob’s service arrangements and supervision were prearranged and are entrusted to his Family Funeral Director and long time friend, Don Applegate.