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- MUNCIE--Fletcher W. McDowell, M.D., 92, passed away at Elmcroft of Muncie on December 30, 2011. He was born in Muncie on June 15, 1919 to Robert G. and Ruby Stafford McDowell. Dr. McDowell was a graduate of Royerton High School, attended Indiana University and received his medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine. His surgical training was interrupted by World War II where he served as a medical officer in the China-Burma-India Theater. On his return to the states after the war, Fletcher met and married Lucy Gray, an Army nurse also returning from service in Europe. Fletcher and Lucy were married 62 years until her death in 2008.
After completing a surgical residency in Baltimore, Maryland, Dr. McDowell returned to Muncie to practice surgery. During a medical career that spanned over 50 years, Fletcher was an active member of the medical staff of Ball Memeorial Hospital, the Delaware-Blackford County Medical Society, and the Muncie Academy of Medicine. He was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He founded Muncie Surgical Associates along with Dr. Thomas Coulon.
Dr. McDowell was a charter member of Westminster Presbyterian Church and served as one of that church's first elders. In the years following his retirement, Fletcher was often seen reading current medical literature in the medical library at the hospital. He read his Bible on a daily basis until Alzheimer's Disease robbed him of the ability to read.
Dr. McDowell is survived by his three children, Dr. Jane McDowell of Muncie, Dr. Robert McDowell (wife-Lynda) of Newport, Vermont, and Dr. Don McDowell (wife-Carol) of Alexandria, Louisiana. He is also survived by seven grandchildren.
Family and friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Friday, January 6, 2012 at The Meeks Mortuary and Crematory, Washington Street Chapel, or from 12:00 p.m. until the time of services Saturday at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, January 7, 2012 at Westminster Presbyterian Church with Dr. Gary Ransom Cox and Rev. Bob O'Bannon officiating. Burial will follow in Black Cemetery, Albany.
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1919 - 2011 (92 years)
