Joseph Glen McDowell Jr.

Joseph Glen McDowell, 94, went to be with our Lord Friday, May 16, 2025 at John Knox Village Care Center, Lee’s Summit, MO. He was born October 4, 1930 in Waukegan, IL to Margaret and Joseph G. McDowell, Sr. He worked for H. A. Friend & Company for 50 years, first as a pressman and then eventually as a salesman. Joe served in the Naval Reserve, stationed in Great Lakes, IL, for eleven years. He was always very active, running marathons (including Boston) and participating in adventure races, skiing, bowling, and golfing. He was an avid bicyclist, riding around Lake Michigan with two friends when he was 65, and riding from Winthrop Harbor, IL to St. Charles, MO with his two grandsons when he was 80. He also experienced parachuting, hang gliding, and rock climbing.

Joe is survived by his daughter, LeAnne Christianson (Richard); by his four grandchildren, Shelley Rouse (Brandon), Jeffrey Christianson (Megan), Kristi McDowell (Mike VanCleve), and Michael Christianson; and by five great-grandchildren, Lily Christianson, Ian Christianson, Delaney VanCleve, Aubrey VanCleve, and Cooper VanCleve. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Barbara; his son, Thomas (Tammy); his brother, Robert (Catherine); his sister, Geraldine Pocklington (James); and his great-granddaughter, Sophi Christianson.

Visitation will be Saturday, May 31, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Road Zion, IL, with a funeral service to follow at 11:00 a.m. and burial at Mount Olivet Memorial Park, Zion, IL, after.

If you were hoping to send flowers, the family ask that instead you donate in Joseph's name to the American Heart Association, link provided below.