Esther Beechy Mcdowell

Esther Beechy McDowell, 95, of Goshen, died Thursday morning, March 6, 2008, at Greencroft Healthcare, Goshen. She was born in Sugarcreek, Ohio, on October 8, 1912, to William A. and March (Hostetler) Beechy.  She married Wiley McDowell on June 30, 1935, in Sugarcreek, Ohio.  He survives. A Goshen resident since 1990, Mrs. McDowell graduated from Sugarcreek High School in 1930 and attended Bluffton College.  She retired from the Huntington Bank in Sugarcreek.  She was church organist for more than 50 years at First Mennonite Church in Sugarcreek.  Mrs. McDowell was a member of College Mennonite Church in Goshen.  She was active in many volunteer community endeavors in both Goshen and Ohio. She is survived by her husband, Wiley; a daughter, Barbara (George) Smucker of Goshen; a son, John E. (B.J.) McDowell of Plainfield, Ohio; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Oscar and W.L. “Whitey” Beechy. Friends may call 2:30 to 3:30, Monday, March 17, at the Meetinghouse at Greencroft. A 3:30 p.m., Monday, March 17, 2008, memorial service will be conducted at the Meetinghouse at Greencroft in Goshen.  Pastor Klaudia Smucker and Chaplain Margaret Sawatsky will officiate. Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be given to Goshen College Mennonite Historical Library Endowment Fund.