Mildred Eileen McDowell

Mildred Eileen McDowell, 101, of Mt. Sterling Health and Rehab Center, formerly of Clayton, IL, passed away at 4:10 p.m. Thursday, October 23, 2025, at the home.

Born July 6, 1924, in Raritan, IL, Mildred was a daughter of Henry and Zelma (Mowen) Yeakey. She married Forrest Lozell McDowell on March 15, 1941, in Palmyra, MO. He preceded her in death on October 19, 1988.

Mildred worked in a variety of roles throughout her life, including providing in-home care, working at Lane’s Grocery in Clayton, and helping at the Coatsburg Sale Barn. She devoted most of her years to being a farm wife, assisting with farm work and raising her family.

Survivors include her granddaughter, Lori Ann Sprenger of Atlanta, GA; and two great-granddaughters, Lauren (Andy) Oldenburg of Columbia, MO, and Taylor (John III) Cottrell of Clarksville, MO.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Zelma Yeakey; her husband, Forrest Lozell McDowell; her son, Forrest Eugene McDowell; her daughter and son-in-law, Norma and Freddie Janssen; her grandson, Bradley Dean Janssen; her great-grandson, Garrett Dean Sprenger; her sister, Henrietta Milliron; and two brothers, Harold and Norman Yeakey.

Graveside services will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, October 25, at South Side Cemetery in Clayton, by Rev. Patricia Reep.

Memorials may be made to South Side Cemetery.

Online condolences may be left at www.hamiltonfuneralhomes.net.

The Hamilton Funeral Home in Clayton is handling arrangements.