Joseph B. Downing
October 25, 2005
Downing, Joseph B., 40, City of Wichita Transit employee, died Tuesday, October 25, 2005. Rosary 7:00 P.M., Thursday, and service 10:00 A.M., Friday, both at Christ the King Catholic Church. Preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Miguel and Felecia Casanova. Survivors: wife, Garese (York) Downing; children, C.J., Jaccob, Jordon, Ann Marie and Mary Elizabeth Downing; mother, Mary Downing, father, Alfred Downing, brother, Michael Downing (Michelle) and sister, Aundra Crippen (Kevin), all of Wichita; numerous aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. A memorial has been established with the Joseph Downing Childrens Fund, c/o Wichita Municipal Federal Credit Union, 3730 W. 13th, Wichita, KS, 67203. Downing Lahey Mortuary West.
Rosary 7:00 P.M., Thursday, October 27, Christ the King Catholic Church.
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Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
Hey its jordan yost, tonya’s daughter from football. I just wanted to say that i have been praying for all of you. Im sorry i didnt attend the funeral, i would have been torn apart. My love is with you all right now and it always is. I miss you all dearly.
Dear Aunt Mary, Garese and Everyone, I was and am very sad that Joe is no longer with us. His smile and laugh was conatgious… I have been praying everyday for everyone’s strength to get through these day to come. I will see you soon, Linda Santiago
To Garese and the Downing family, I’m so sorry for your loss. The news of Joe’s death really saddened me – I have such wonderful memories of growing up with him while attending school together. May you find the strength to get through this tragedy. God bless Joe and your family.
Garese and family- I am so sorry to hear about Joe’s death- please know that we are praying for you and your family. God Bless you all- Terry and Jackie Arndt (Hutchens-class of 87) Spencer, Blake and Carson
Although I haven’t seen Joe in over 20 years, I am deeply saddened for such a tragic loss. I have great memories of Joe and he will be missed by all who knew him. Joe and I worked together @Watson Park during High School.
Our deepest condolences. If you need anything please let us know. I worked with Joes mother ‘Mary’ at Dillons and she was always talking about her kids. Joe and I hung out when we were in high school and even after for a while. We saw very little of each other until our kids got older and played ball against each other. Joe had a real passion for kids and sports. The last time I saw him was at his twenty year class union because my wife was in his class. I remember him saying he wasnt going to the reunion but my wife and I told him he would regret it later if he didnt. Just like in High School, it wouldnt have been the same without him. We moved to McPherson not long after that and we have thought about Joe from time to time. We will miss him but wont forget him. He was one of the good ones. God bless.
Mike, ‘Mom’ and Aundra, Wish I could be there this morning but I wanted to send you a note. I hope you all are getting by in this time of loss. I got diverted around Joe’s accident the morning it happened and, of course, had no idea until I saw his picture in the paper. It floored me. Can’t ever forget what a great family you all are and the times we had. Joe will continue to love and guide you all as you will his family. Let me know if I can help with anything. I will be sending a donation to the kids fund. Love and prayers to you. John Knudtson
Garese, Words cannot express how my heart greives for you and your family. I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that my family and I are praying for you and your family through this time. I know that Joe will be deeply missed. Melanie (Graham) Parker Frank Parker, Isabella, Graham, Luke and Elaina
My deepest sympathy to the Casanova and Downing family and other relatives and friends. There are no words of comfort right now but there is one thing for sure that he is with God his maker who ‘loaned’ him to this world for a period of time. I met Joe at Mrs. Santiago’s funeral and by his mere presence you could tell he was a kind and loving individual. My prayers and thoughts are with you on this day and in celebration of his life and his finally ‘Home Coming’. Good Bless All OF You and may He wrap His arms around you and give the love and strenght you need during this most difficult
Dear Garese, C.J., Jaccob, Jordan, Ann Marie and Mary Elizabeth, We are so sorry for your loss. We will remember Joe as a person who knew what was truly important in life, his family. He left behind a wonderful part of him in each one of you children. We will keep your family in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless You, The Iseman Family
Garese, C.J., Jaccob, Jordan, Anne Marie, Mary Elizebeth, and the entire family- Please accept my deepest sympathy in the loss of Joe. My heart goes out to all of you in this sad time. I will be praying for all of you in the coming days, weeks, and months ahead. May you find comfort in knowing that Joe leaves behind a lasting tribute in the wonderful lives that he touched here at St. Peter. God bless you all.
Garese & Family, Please know that you are in our prayers at this terribly sad time. May God see you through this difficult time, and even more so, in the days ahead. Just cherish the good times you had with Joe and that will keep his memory alive in your hearts forever.
Please be comforted by the beautiful memories you shared and know that the Downing/Cassnova families are in my thoughts and prayers. May he rest in peace.
We started at St. Peter’s around the same time the Downing’s did and our kids became friends and we became friends with Garese & Joe. I have to say it was a comfort for my kids to find out that the Downing’s also came from a Mexican background. I will always remember that Garden Plain basketball tournament when someone asked Joe ‘what are you guy’s’, like we were from another country or planet. Joe just laughed and said ‘We’re Mexican’, even Chad Darland was Mexican that day whether he like it or not. My son Amado and Jordan have been good friends since I can remember and if you know Amado, you know he’s not real social, but with Jordan around Amado didn’t have to do the talking, Jordan could do it for him. The Downing’s would say that Amado would make them laugh when he was over at their house and this was hard to believe since we couldn’t even get him to talk at home. Joe also coached Amado in B-ball since 3rd grade and I can honestly say that Joe knew how to bring out the best in him. He would tell him jokes and give him encouragement. He took a boy that never wanted to shoot and made him flourish. Last year was the best year he ever had. My husband also got the opportunity to coach along with Joe and Duane and they became good friends. Our kids have always played sports together at St. Peter’s and the Pina’s and the Downing’s were always on the sidelines either cheering or complaining. We are going to miss that. We will always remember Joe as a good friend and coach that treated our kids like his own and that meant the world to us. We will be praying for you all and remember to call us if you need anything. God Bless
Dear Garese, C.J., Jaccob, Jordon, Anne Marie, and Mary Elizabeth, I am keeping you in my prayers and thoughts. I hope that the happy times you shared will bring smiles to your faces in this time of great sorrow. I miss you.
Dear Mike, Aundra, and Mary, I haven’t seen you all in years but I was absolutely stunned when I read about Joe. I have fond memories of your family. The thing I most remember about Joe was that he was always a gentlemen and very mannerly. What a great guy. I just wanted to offer you my condolences and say that I’m so sorry for you all, and hope that God will bless you and your families at this awful time. Love, Madilyn
Mike and Michelle, We both want you to know that our hearts and prayers are with you during your time of sorrow. As your friends, we offer our support in any way that we possibly can. Our love to you, Dick and Sofhie Knowles
May the peace of Christ find its way into your hearts and rest there. I’m so sorry for your loss. Debbie Neises -St. Peter the Apostle Catholic School
My thoughts and prayers for the Downing family, last time I saw Joe was at our 20 yr reunion – we had a blast – he will be missed. Class of 83′
To the Downing Family, I’ve known Joe since my grade school days at St. Anne’s 30 years ago. The thing that I remember the most is his laugh and how he would give me the hardest time – all in fun. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
We pray for the repose of the soul of Joe Downing. May he rest in peace. I was a high school classmate of Joe’s.
Joe I will miss you with all my heart. Garese Im so sorry, Iwish you and your family the best.