Ethel Claspell

Ethel M. Claspell, 81, a longtime resident of the Newberry area, died at Marquette General Hospital in Marquette Thursday, January 18, 2007.

She was born in Mackinac County December 6, 1925. She was one of 14 daughters and sons of George and Ida Wood.

In 1948, Ethel married Leonard Allen Dowdy Sr. in Traverse City. They moved to Kentucky following their marriage and became owners and operators of L.A. Dowdy & Son, a coal mining and trucking company.

She returned to the Newberry area after Mr. Dowdy died September 3, 1974.

Mrs. Claspell was an avid outdoors woman, especially enjoying fishing and camping. While "stuck" inside, she was active with needlepoint on canvas and enjoyed playing cards.

She is preceded in death by her husband Leonard Dowdy, an infant daughter; and seven brothers and sisters.

She is survived by her daughters, Carol Ann Yother of Battle Creek, Barbara and Don Mortenson of Newberry, Karen and George McAlpine of Curtis, Georgia and Russ Allen of Rochester, Indiana; her sons, Gary and Elaine Beck of Midland, and Leonard Dowdy Jr. of Peru, Indiana; her sisters, Beverly Smith of Newberry, Georgia and William Compton of Flint, Sharon and Bill Dunlap, and Judy and Frank Roach, all of Eckerman, and Verna Wood of Battle Creek; brother Melvin Wood of Battle Creek; 17 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren.

The funeral was held Monday, January 22 at the Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry. Pastor J.D. Livermore of the Germfask Mennonite Church officiated. Mrs. Claspell will be buried in the family plot in Kentucky at a later date.