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June 7, 1931-June 21, 2024

 

Richard Newton Dowsett, 93, of St. Joseph and Dowagiac passed away to his heavenly home on June 21, 2024.
A funeral service will be held at 12 p.m. on Monday, July 1, 2024 at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 4071 Naomi Rd, Sodus, with the Reverend Mikki Collins officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 10:30 a.m. until the service begins at the church. A private burial service will be held at Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph. Arrangements entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel, (269) 556-9450. Those wishing to leave an online condolence for the family may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Memorial Contributions may be made to Chapel Hill United Methodist Church at 4071 Naomi Rd, Sodus, MI 49126 or the Dowagiac Lions Club House at 28606 Blue Bird St. Dowagiac, MI 49047.
Richard was born June 7, 1931 to Robert Martin and Ruth Newton Dowsett at Lee Memorial Hospital in Dowagiac. He attended Oak Street Grade School. He graduated from Dowagiac Central High School in 1949, and then from Western Michigan University in 1953. Richard was commissioned as an Officer in the U.S. Army. He served in Korea from 1954-1955 then the Army Reserve and commissioned to Captain.
After the Army, he returned to Dowagiac to work with his father at the Dowsett Spring Company on Marcellus Highway. Shortly after his father’s untimely death, Richard became President. A position he held for 37 years until his retirement in June of 1995.
On April 13, 1976, Richard and Phylis Burton-Taylor were married at Tree-Mendus Fruit Farms in Eau Claire. Richard spent his first 40 years as a loyal Dowagiac resident. He served as past chairman of Dowagiac Planning Commission, past president of Dowagiac Lion’s Club (60-year member), original member of Dowagiac Men’s bridge club (60 year member), member of Indian Hills golf league, Dowagiac Blossom Queen chairman, active member of both the Federated Covenant Church of Dowagiac and the Chapel Hill United Methodist Church in Sodus. He served as administrative chair in both churches as well as many committees, in addition to teaching Sunday school.
He was a member of bible study fellowship at Chapel Hill and served on the boards of both the St. Joseph baseball and Eaton Park committees. Richard loved sports, whether he was a participant, a coach, or just a spectator! While stationed in Korea, Richard won the doubles title in Champion Ping Pong. His favorite teams were Michigan State, Detroit Lions, and the Chicago White Sox. Richard also devoted his time mastering his hobbies of cooking, gardening, and playing bridge.
Richard will be missed by his wife of 48 years, Phyllis June Burton Taylor Dowsett; his children, M. Keith Dowsett of Berkeley, MI, Gregory Alan (Linda) Dowsett of Elkhart, IN, and Karin Lynne (William) Schilling of Portage, MI; his step-children, Lora Taylor Brown of Jenison, MI, and Keene Burton (Shirley Mayle) Taylor of St. Joseph; his grandchildren, Shelby Schilling, Blake Dowsett, Kyle (Dani) Brown, Kasey Brown, Ty Burton Taylor, Hallie Taylor, and Samantha Taylor (Luis) Madureri; his great-grandchildren, Reagan Dowsett, Kalyn Brown, Gunnar, Ruger Brown, and Remington Brown; and his sister, Suzanne (Norm) Barney of Dowagiac.
He is preceded in death by his brother, Fred Dowsett of Dowagiac; his stepson, Timothy Edward Taylor of St. Joseph; and his parents.