Joseph Dowsett

Joseph "Jay" Dowsett, 85, of Silvis, passed away Nov. 26, 2015, at Genesis Medical Center, Illini Campus, with his family by his side. A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, at Schroder Mortuary in Silvis. Visitation will be one hour prior to service time. Burial will be at Roselawn Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family. Jay was born Sept. 2, 1930, in Marshal, Mo., the son of William and Grace Meyer Dowsett. He served in the Army during the Korean Conflict. Jay married Diane Schmidt Dec. 26, 1953, in Moline. He later married Velma Ford Nov. 27, 1976, in Davenport. She passed away May 28, 2011. Jay loved woodworking and was a lifetime St. Louis Cardinals fan. Survivors include his children, Julie (Herb) Durnell, Colona, Gail Merrill, Colona, Cathy (Jim) Reynertson, New London, Wis., and John (Sally) Dowsett, Des Moines, Iowa; nine grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; stepdaughters, Barbara Ford, Erie, and Theresa (Marty) Hancock, LeClaire. Jay was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Velma, brother, Bill, sisters, Margaret and Betty, and a son-in-law, James Merrill.