Lester Raymond Downing

Lester Raymond Downing, 88 of Greensburg died peacefully on Tuesday March 12, 2024 at Mountain View Senior Living after battling Parkinson’s Disease.  He was born in Jeannette on October 3, 1935 to the late Reginald and Clara  (Lester) Downing. Lester was a graduate of Jeannette High School class of 1953, and went on to begin his studies at Waynesburg University and shortly after joined the U. S. Navy where he was stationed in the Mediterranean. Lester was a family man who embraced his English heritage and culture, and maintained an English sense of humor throughout his life.  He enjoyed watching British mysteries, The BBC and Pink Panther movies.  Fond memories of taking his sons to Mt. Odin, Twin Lakes, and many other state parks to fish and picnic will forever be cherished, as he was a kind and loving father.  He held a deep faith in God and was a parishioner of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Youngwood.  Lester leaves a legacy of loyalty and honor to his family and country and will be missed daily by his wife of 65 years Donna (Heasley) Downing; his sons Mark, David, and Daniel (Sue) Downing; his grandchildren Renee Downing and Daniel Downing II; sister Regina Bosch (Charles); brothers Ken Downing (Pat) and Ronald Downing (Ethel); and several nieces and nephews.  In addition to his parents, Lester joined his sister Clara Ann Downing and brother John Downing in heaven. The family gives heartfelt thanks to Mountain View Assisted Living and Redstone Hospice for their compassionate care and comfort they provided during this delicate time.  Please join us to celebrate and honor Lester’s life with a viewing on Sunday March 17, 2024 from 2-4 p.m. & 6-8 p.m. ASHLEY D. X. NYE CREMATION CARE & FUNERAL HOME INC.  408 Depot St. Youngwood, PA 15697. Additional viewing on Monday March 18, 2024 at 9 a.m. until time of funeral liturgy at 10 a.m. at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Youngwood, with the Rev. Peter E. Nordby and Rev. C. F. Hoffman Deacon Michelle Kunkle, Charles A. Lutz Assisting Minister, followed by burial, military honors, and white dove release at Twin Valley Memorial Park in Delmont. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Lester’s memory to The Parkinson’s Foundation or St. Luke’s Lutheran Church.  Please visit www.nyefuneralhome.com to leave a condolence or share a memory of Lester.

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