Raymond E. Dowdell, 91, of Adena, OH, passed away Monday, July 6, 2026, in The Seasons of Saxonburg in Saxonburg, PA.

Ray was born October 15, 1934, in Jefferson County (Mt. Pleasant), OH. He was the son of the late James E. and Martha E. (Moore) Dowdell. Ray was also preceded in death by his aunt and uncle, who raised him, Russell and Nora Dowdell.

Ray served as a veteran of both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy. He enlisted in the Army in 1955 and was honorably discharged in 1958. In 1959, he enlisted in the Navy and was honorably discharged again in 1963. During his seven years of service, Ray was involved in the Bay of Pigs and the Cuban Missile Crisis.

After serving his country, Ray worked at the Ohio Ferro-Alloys Plant in Brilliant, OH, and later in the mines with Consol. He then joined Smithfield Township as a mechanic and operator, where he worked until retirement. An avid hunter, Ray enjoyed spending time in the woods, fields, and local farms hunting deer and rabbits.

In addition to his parents and his aunt and uncle, Ray was also preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn L. Dowdell, and siblings: Roy E. Dowdell, Goldie Crothers, Edna Calhoun, Marie Martin, Daisy Best, and Margaret Reynolds.

Ray leaves behind his daughter, Jody Lynn Mankamyer, and husband Todd, of Culmerville, PA, and his son, Raymond R. “Rich” Dowdell, and wife Pamela, of Brilliant, OH; four grandchildren, Ashley and Shawn Mankamyer, Raymond Brandon Dowdell, and Honorae Elizabeth Dowdell, and one great-grandson, Braxton Raymond Dowdell.

Visitation will be held on Friday, July 10 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the J.E. Foster Funeral Home in Smithfield, OH, where services will follow at 12 noon. Wally Jancura will officiate and a private burial will follow in the Holly Memorial Gardens in Pleasant Grove, OH.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the Jefferson County Veterans Association of Friendship Park, c/o Tony Phillippi, Treasurer, 1341 County Road 15 Rayland, OH 43943.