Donald Anderson Downing, 96, of Edina, Missouri, passed away Monday, January 7, 2008, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Mexico, Missouri.

Donald was born on February 20, 1911, rural Newark, Missouri, the son of Claude and Estelle Anderson Downing.

He attended school in Newark, Missouri and graduated from the Newark High School Class of 1929. Donald served his country during World War II, in the United States Air Force, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant.

In 1929, Donald married Hazel Jones of Newark, Missouri and she preceded him in death in 1960. He worked for the United States Post Office as a clerk and later as Post Master in Edina, Missouri, during the Kennedy Presidency. Donald retired in 1968. He was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Edina, the Cyril A. Graham American Legion #261 and the Knox County Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4822 both of Edina, Missouri.

On September 30, 1965, Donald married Anne Helene Byland and they made their home in Edina, Missouri. Donald is survived by his wife, Anne Downing of Edina, Missouri, a brother, Willis and his wife Morena Downing of Colorado Springs, Colorado; a sister, Dorothy Downing of Newark, Missouri, a sister-in-law, Marian Downing of Michigan; several nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Hazel; and a brother, A.J. Downing.

Funeral Services will be Thursday, January 10, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. at the Doss Funeral Home in Edina, Missouri.

Visitation will be Thursday morning with the family receiving friends from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home.

Burial with Full Military Honors by the Cyril A. Graham American Legion #261 and the Knox County Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4822 both of Edina, Missouri, will be in the Newark Cemetery in Newark, Missouri.

Fr. Bill Kottenstette will officiate and Pallbearers will be Tom Byland, Bob Byland, Jim Byland, Jim Ragland, Joe Downing and Brent Karhoff.

An expression of sympathy in memory of Donald Downing may be left to the Missouri Veterans Home in Mexico, Missouri. A memorial may be left at or mailed to the Doss Funeral Home 208 N. 4th Street, Edina, Missouri 63537.