VENEDOCIA — Alfred Levi Downing, 99, of rural Venedocia, passed away peacefully at 7:13 AM Tuesday, February 27, 2018 in the Lima Memorial Health System with most of his family at his side.

He was born December 28, 1918 in Allen County to William B. and Pauline E. (Snyder) Downing, who are deceased. On May 10, 1941 he married Donna Mae Garee, who preceded him in death March 10, 1997.

He was an Army veteran of WW II, serving in the Philippine Islands as a cook. Later he became a baker for the former Renz Bakery in Lima and then farmed and worked at the Lima State Hospital , from which he retired.

Alfred was a member of the Spencerville Church of the Nazarene and was a life member of the Cairo Post # 133, American Legion. He had attended the Beaverdam School.

Survivors include a daughter Linda (Tom) Burnett of Venedocia and a daughter-in-law; Trina Downing of Carey, Ohio and a sister; Marie (Don) Landers of Dayton.

He was preceded in death by his son; Allan D. Downing, his brothers, Carl and Herbert Downing and his sisters, Clara Law and Evelyn Crawford.

He was a loving grandfather to several grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Friday in the Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home in Spencerville, with Pastors Darryl Potts and Tom Shobe officiating. Burial will follow in the Fort Amanda Cemetery, South East of Spencerville.

The family will receive friends from 4 until 8 PM Thursday and after 9:30 AM Friday at the funeral home. The Army Honor Guard and the Spencerville Veterans will conduct military rites at the funeral home following the services.

Condolences may be sent to tbayliff@woh.rr.com.