Frank was a man of simple taste and a sharp mind and wit. He was my big brother and took me to my 1st cub game at wigglys field in chicago and to my fist big amusement park called Riverside Park in chicago. He will be sorely missed by us all

My Uncle Frank, man of mystery! He led his life exactly as he wanted, which is more than most can say. He was quite the dashing figure in his day but could tease you to tears. I always felt that my Uncle Frank had many untold stories that he kept to himself. He was certainly a very private man. I had respect for that about him. I remember visiting him in Tampa in the 1960's when he ran his laundry business. My Dad and my Uncle Frank were pals and my Dad loved helping Uncle Frank out at the business. I remember going to the beach with him and his girlfriend,Doris. Uncle Frank could be quite charming when he wanted to! I remember visiting him in Zephyrhills and how we spent the evening watching his old slides from when he was in San Francisco. That was a really special nite I shared with him. He was no longer the uncle that had always teased me and had come in and out of my life at holidays and summer vacations...we were just 2 people sitting around having coctails and comparing our own versions of San Francisco, a city we both loved. It was then that I saw my Uncle Frank as a pretty interesting person with untold stories just waiting to be told. We stayed up late that nite, looking at those old black and white slides. He helped my Dad plant a very small tree in front of our house in Springfield and told my Dad (in typical Uncle Frank fashion) that they shouldn't bother because the tree would never grow. Anyone who has driven by 1120 N. 9th knows just how much that tree "never" grew!! Even though he complained, he still helped my Dad plant that tree. My most touching personal memory of Uncle Frank that I will always have is how he hung on to a particular lamp for me. He brought that lamp back from Florida when he left most everything else behind because he knew I wanted it. That was his way of showing his niece that he cared. He was a kid serving in WW2...the last of an era. One of a kind. Be at peace Uncle Frank,you lived a good life.

Uncle Frank knew how to live life only one way and that was his way. I'm sure he never regretted one minute of the time he spent on this earth. Your oldest sister, my mom, has been waiting for you at the "pearly gates" and I'm sure she has a lot of catching up to do. Don't plan on getting to much rest for a little while. Give her a big hug for me and our thoughts and prayers are for you.

In the Ryan family, he was always referred to as "Frankie" Dower. Mostly what we know of him is that he was a tail-gunner in the B-17 and we always thought of him as a war hero. If you ever have a chance to see a B-17 when they bring one to a local airport, climb inside and see the confined space for the tail gunner and other crew and realize the fortitude it took to fly in one over enemy territory. Best wishes and condolences to the Dower family, our dearest cousins throughout the years.

I'll always remember my Uncle Frankie for his quick wit. You would think you were dealing with this quiet, little man, and then he would hit you with one of his verbal zingers. Unlike a lot of people, Frankie pretty much said what he thought- sometimes it takes a strong person to do that. I can still picture him in those card games with Grandpa and my other uncles. I always thought he played the most like Grandpa. I also respect him tremendously for the way he quietly served his country in WWII- he was quite a man. Goodbye Uncle Frankie- you will always be remembered. John Lavin

I'll always remember Frankie for his tremendous mind. He continually amazed me how he could read more than one book in a day and how he was so good at crossword puzzles. When he moved back to Springfield and was in good health, I looked forward so much to his daily visits. They were always the same- one cigarette, a quick conversation, and then him leaving with that lickety-split walk of his-that was my brother Frankie. Pie Face

I will always remember Uncle Frank. He liked cherry pie. He enjoyed reading his newspaper in the sun. He liked watching the history channel on cable. And he told me stories over the years whenever I asked. He had a quick mind, knew his current events, and had a very dry sense of humor. He hated cold weather because, as a ball turret gunner in the belly of a B-17 bomber in WW II, the heating wires in his flight jacket sometimes failed and a cold so numbing kind of crept into his bones and never really left him. That is why Uncle Frank's Springfield apartment was like a sauna. He was a dapper dresser when he visited his sisters. And he once asked a college girlfriend of mine, without warning, if she were trying to lose weight. No, Frank never married. He was a member of what Tom Brokaw called The Greatest Generation ever. He had a good heart and was a good man. I will miss him.

I send my heartfelt condolences to my mom Helen, Aunt Kay, Aunt Annie, Aunt Irene, Aunt Peggy and Uncle Jimmy on the loss of their beloved brother Frankie.

Our thoughts and prayers are with my wonderful mom, Helen, and my loving aunts---Irene, Peggy, Kay, and Annie---as well as Uncle Jimmy, on the loss of their brother, and my uncle, Frankie. Being one of the younger of the Dower siblings' nieces and nephews, I never really knew Uncle Frankie too well. However, my mom and my aunts told me many stories about Uncle Frankie so that I at least had a good feel for who he was. To me, all that mattered was that my mom loved him---which made him okay in my book. Johnny, Julia and Ryan Forgas

It's a shame families get so far apart. I remember, back in the early 60's, being in Florida and stopping by to see Frankie and Jim. They were older than me and gone from home by the time I was grown, anyway, they didn't know who I was, I would have known them anywhere, they hadn't changed, but I guess I had. I would like to express my sympathies to all the Dower cousins on the loss of their brother. Helen is like a sister to me and Ann, Kay, Peggy and Irene have always treated me great and I have a lot of fon memories. God Bless you all, you are in my prayers daily........LOVE.........KATHY

My memories are so many I can not listthem all! You sending pennies in a stocking to Mom for our carefare while you were working your way through college. Taking Helen and I to Riverside Park in Chicago on the wooden roller coaster and telling us no screaming or crying, because it would embarrass him.(and we did) so it embarrassed him. He sent me money for graduation to buy some nice clothes to wear and I bought a class ring.(he was upset). He bought Helen and I a tv because Daddy said he wouldn't. So many fine memories. Thoughts of you coming over to have your "one smoke" while supervising Jim's yardwork. Most of all your dry sense of humor. Always in a hurry to get to your next stop. Now you are at your last and final "stop" where you will be the happiest ever. Here's to a wonderful brother that I have been blest with.

I think although my mom Ann and my aunts and uncle may miss their brother, I know they will all agree that he is enjoying being with his departed mom, dad, and sisters, let alone all the other relatives. You have to admit that he probably suggested having a party and then is just waiting until all the angels put it together so he can enjoy it! I know there is a party going on in heaven! I got to see Florida because of him choosing to live there and for that I am thankful. He always made me laugh and will always continue making me laugh when I share my stories about him in the future! He was special as you all know!

OBITUARY

Frank A. Dower

May 10, 1925 – January 27, 2005

Butler Funeral Home & Cremation Tribute Center-Springfield

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