Matthew Thomas Dowling

Matthew Thomas Dowling, 82, formerly of Kokomo, passed away on April 12, 2017 at the Heritage Point Assisted Living in Cookeville, TN. Mr. Dowling was born on October 29, 1934 to Lenard T. and Catherine (Lennon) Dowling in Brooklyn, NY. Mr. Dowling joined the United States Army, and served from 1952-1956. Later in 1956, he joined the United States Air Force, and served an additional 16 years, and retired as a Master Sergeant. On May 25, 1957, he married Alma (Skinner) Irwin, and she survives.

After his retirement from the Air Force, he worked an additional 7 years at Chrysler. After his time at Chrysler, he moved to Chula Vista, CA. While in California, he began working for the Civil Defense Naval Air Base in San Diego. In 2000, they moved to Enterprise, AL, and remained there until a tornado destroyed their home. After the storm, Mr. Dowling and Alma settled in Livingston, TN. He was a member of the American Legion and the Air Force Sergeants Association.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Dowling is survived by stepchildren, Patricia Piker, Barbara (Phil) Jones, Marsha (Gary) Brooks, Janet Reed, 3 half-brothers, 1 half-sister, grandchildren, Yvette Gonzalez, Tammy Hatfield, Patti Nutter, Teresa Dando, Paula Mashburn, Matthew Piker, Thomas Jones, Angie Scales, Adriana Basey, Adina Monday, Hannah Smith, Christopher Irwin, Nathan Irwin, Audra Nightengale, Tara Walker, Jana Caudill, and 52 great grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, David Irwin, son-in-law, Charles Piker, sister, Mildred Symonds, half-sister, Dorothy Dowling, and a half-brother.

A funeral service to celebrate the life of Mr. Dowling will be held at 1:00 PM Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home, 2097 West Alto Road, Kokomo. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the services. Burial with military honors will take place at the Fairview Cemetery in Tipton, IN. For more information on Mr. Dowling or to leave a condolence, please visit www.SunsetMemoryGarden.com.

Arrangements under the direction of Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home, Kokomo, IN.