Vernon Dowell

April 27, 1948-Feb. 7, 2025

On February 7th, between the hours of 3 and 4 AM, our loving pastor and friend, Vernon Dowell, went on to be with the Lord.  He passed away peacefully in his home in Crawfordsville, Indiana.  He was 76 years old at the time of his passing.

Vernon was born on April 27, 1948 in Waynesburg, Kentucky to his loving mother, Mary, and father, Henry.  He was the 5th child out of 11 children.  Vernon would wake up every morning and make the fire so his momma would have a warm house to wake up to.  That is the kind of man he was.  He would help tend to the animals on his parents little farm and help his momma set tobacco.  He was a hardworking and helpful man all his life, he hated to be still.  Once living in Indiana, he worked for Midstates Wire for 14 years.

Vernon was invested in his community in many ways throughout the years.  He was a Pastor/Bishop at Garfield Apostolic Christian Church for many years.  Through that ministry he visited the jail and nursing homes.  He would preach, teach, and witness any chance he got.  He ministered at the jail for 31 years and the nursing home for about 25 years.  He never knew a stranger.  Vernon was a true soul winner at heart.  He also grew a garden for many years and would always give his potatoes and tomatoes to anyone, often times for free.  Vernon was a real handyman, a jack of all trades, and always knew how to fix whatever was broken.  Cars, appliances, you name it, he fixed it.  Even the home he passed away in, he and his dear friend, Junior Blanton, built.  His intense desire to take care of his family led him to many side jobs, like cutting wood, taking care of others along with his own.  Vernon did a lot of things, but he had a love for mushroom hunting and ginseng digging.  There was almost nothing he couldn't do.

In 1969, Vernon met the love of his life, Rebecca.  On July 24, 1970, Vernon Dowell married Rebecca LaFollette and together they had 10 children whom they adored.  They were married 54 years.

He is survived by his wife, Rebecca Dowell; children, Kenneth (Lisa) Dowell, Brian (Elena) Dowell, Shawn (Cari) Dowell, Kristen (Aaron) Bridgham, Chrissy Miller, Dustin Dowell, Tasha (Jose) Jardinez, Denisha Dowell and Tiesha Dowell; 27 grandchildren and 42 great-grandchildren, along with several nieces and nephews; brothers, Elmer (Debra) Dowell and Elvie (Rita) Dowell; sister, Dorothy (Joe) Morhinners.

He was preceded in death by: his parents, Henry and Mary Dowell; in-laws, Norman and Norma LaFollette; siblings, Kate Caudill, Jessie Dowell, Bobby Dowell, Barb Harris, Margaret Kidd, Christine Roberts and Elsie Carter; son, Vernon Lee; two granddaughters, ChyAnne Bridgham and Nikia Dowell and one great-granddaughter, Khiana Dowell.

The loss of this amazing family man and friend is felt throughout this whole community.  Vernon Dowell, the biggest heart and the hardest head, he will be greatly missed as much as he was profoundly loved.  His life-long commitment to God, his family and his community will echo in our hearts as we make our own commitment to keep his memory alive.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 PM Wednesday, Feb. 12 at Burkhart Funeral Home, Crawfordsville.  Services will be held at 11 AM on Thursday, Feb. 13th at the funeral home.  After the service, he will be laid to rest at Oak Hill Cemetery South.