McDowell

Ruth G. McDowell, 85, of Emlenton-Clintonville Road, Emlenton, Scrubgrass Township, Venango County, died unexpectedly at 4:16 a.m. Wednesday in the emergency room at Grove City Medical Center.

Born Dec. 30, 1922, in Pittsburgh, she was the daughter of Otto J. and Gertrude M. McCosby Strouse.

Mrs. McDowell was a member of St. Michael Roman Catholic Church in Emlenton and the Scrubgrass Senior Center, where she enjoyed the company of her friends and playing bingo.

She was a talented and creative homemaker who enjoyed flower gardening. She was an excellent mother and grandmother.

She attended the St. Michael Roman Catholic schools in Pittsburgh and moved to the family farm in Kennerdell in 1938 and attended the Rockdale School.

Mrs. McDowell was married in Winchester, W.Va., Feb. 27, 1941, to Willliam P. McDowell. He preceded her in death Jan. 8, 1992.

Mrs. McDowell is survived by three children, Eileen R. Gordon and her husband, Howard, of Emlenton, William P. McDowell Jr. and his wife, Debbie, of Coal Center and Kathleen "Kap" Conti and her husband, Joseph, of Emlenton. Four grandchildren survive, William P. McDowell III, Christel McDowell, Jennifer L. Gordon and her fiancé, Thomas Harrington and Crystal Conti. Also surviving is Mrs. McDowell's longtime friend, Paul Fleming of Grove City. A number of nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. McDowell was preceded in death by three brothers, Robert, William Clair and Howard Strouse; two infant sisters; and an infant brother.

<B>MCDOWELL </B>— Friends of Ruth G. McDowell, who died Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at <B>Hile Funeral Home Inc.</B>, 1204 Kerr Ave., Emlenton. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Michael Roman Catholic Church, Chestnut Street, Emlenton, with Monsignor Jan Olowin, church pastor, officiating. Interment will follow in St. Michael Cemetery, Emlenton.A parish prayer service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.Condolences may be sent to localfamiles@hilefuneralhome.com.