Lonnie Harold McDowell

Lonnie, the 8th of 9 siblings, was born to William and Reba McDowell on Mar. 27, 1938 in the desert during a sandstorm in Calipatria, CA. Except for a tour in the U.S. Army, Lonnie’s life-long profession was plastering. He was a master plasterer for over 44 years plastering many businesses and residences in the San Joaquin Valley and throughout California. Known for meticulous work and precise calculations, Lonnie was a very hard worker. Mona often said Lonnie could fix anything.

Lonnie met his best friend and love of his life, Mona (Kress) Demianew and daughter Monica at Christian Life Center in Merced early in 1981. They were married Dec. 19, 1981 and in Jan. 1983 they welcomed a son, Lyle, into the family. Extremely devoted to his family, Dad loved traveling and supporting his daughter, Monica, on the cutting and rodeo circuits and his son, Lyle, with their 4-H dairy goat project and football games. He was very proud of his kids and grandkids. Lonnie’s all-time favorite hobby was fishing. Be it fresh water or deep sea fishing, “bad day fishing was always better than a good day at work”. He and Mona were inseparable, doing practically everything together. Dad also loved traveling with Mom, working in his vegetable garden and taking care of his beloved dogs, horses and goats. For many years Lonnie and Mona took part in and supplied the animals for Christian Life Center’s annual Christmas Production. Lonnie was the driver of the horse drawn sleigh. Dad had a great sense of humor and loved to tease everyone, especially his grandkids. Known for his cowboy boots and hat, Lonnie always had a warm smile, firm handshake and a twinkle in his eye for everyone he’d meet.

Lonnie is survived by his wife Mona of 32 years, daughters Marla McDowell (three sons & a daughter(deceased)) of Atwater, Monica (Conroy) Ellenson of Browns Valley, son Lyle (Jennifer) McDowell of Fresno, and grandchildren Josiah, Jessilyn, Samuel and Silas Ellenson of Browns Valley and Hanna and Bladen McDowell of Fresno. Lonnie was preceded in death by his parents William and Reba McDowell and siblings Marvin McDowell, Eugene McDowell, Martha (McDowell) Blair, Ernest McDowell, Arthur McDowell, Katherine (McDowell) Heffner, Billy McDowell and Lloyd McDowell. Lonnie will be deeply missed by all who knew him. We’ll love you forever. We can’t wait to see you again!