Obituary -- Blanche Downing 1929-2016

Blanche Downing, age 86, died at 10:50 P.M. on November 3, 2016. She passed peacefully at home surrounded by family. A private memorial and graveside service will be held at a future date to be determined. A Celebration of Life Gathering was held November 5, 2016 at the Bedford Senior Center. Ritchie Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. Memories may be shared with the family at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under obituaries.

Blanche (Fletchall) Downing was born November 5, 1929 near Parnell Missouri, the daughter of Sexton Andrew Fletchall and Della Ethel (Ackley) Fletchall. Her parents later moved to Grant City, Missouri where Blanche attended and graduated with the class of 1947.

On August 4, 1947 she was united in marriage to Paul E. Downing. To this blessed union were three children, Paula Ferne, Lyle Bruce, and Jeffrey Lynn Downing.

Blanche worked for over 31 years as a nurse at the Bedford Nursing Home. Many of those years as the Director of Nursing, where she met and worked with many families within the community.

Blanche is survived by here children, Paula F. Glass and Jeffrey L. Downing, along with her seven grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren along with many nieces, nephews and friends.

Preceding Blanche in death were her husband Paul, parents Sexton and Della, infant son Lyle, seven brothers Luther, Guy, Elbert, Alfred, Don, Owen and Neil Fletchall, three sisters Daisy Myers, Ferne Jeter and Faye Pierce, one great-granddaughter, one great-grandson, and many nieces and nephews.