Roedean M. Dowell, 95, of Columbia City, died peacefully at Parkview Randallia, Fort Wayne, at 1:07 p.m. on Thursday, December 22, 2022.

Born on May 11, 1927, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, she was a daughter of the late LeRoy and Lilah M. (Brumbaugh) Veazey. As an infant, the family moved to Noble County and later to Eel River Twp., Allen County, where she completed Eel-Perry Township School. Beginning high school at Huntertown, the family then moved to Columbia City, where she graduated from Columbia City High School in 1945.

She married Keith H. Dowell on February 23, 1946. They made their home in Columbia City until 1996 when they moved to the Syracuse area. In 2007 they returned to Columbia City. Beginning in 1991, the couple spent twenty-two consecutive winters in Venice, FL. Keith died on January 30, 2016.

Roedean began her work career with General Electric, Fort Wayne, for ten years. She became the Whitley County Sheriff's Dept secretary, later moving over to the Whitley County Highway Dept., then the Whitley County Assessor office. Following her county government service, she worked as a teacher's aide at Columbia Twp. School and completed her work career at Randall Carpenter, MD, medical office.

A charter member of the Columbia City Church of the Brethren, where she taught Sunday school, prepared the bulletin and was a past-President of the Women's Fellowship. Active with the Democrat Party, she was a past-President of the Ladies Democrat Party of Whitley County, hosting U.S. Senators and area Representatives at her home. She also met Vice-President candidate Lyndon Johnson at an event in Fort Wayne.

She liked to follow IU Basketball and the Green Bay Packers. Meeting a women's basketball standout, Shana Zolman, while living in Syracuse, she followed her college career at Tennessee University. Enjoying the water, Roedean participated in water aerobics and liked to sew, bake, and bargain hunt. She enjoyed cards with her friends every Wednesday and, at other times, meeting friends at the Elks Club.

Surviving is her daughter Teresa Dowell of Columbia City, son Stanley (Catherine) Dowell, of Churubusco; grandchildren, Andrew (Lacey) Barrett of Greenfield, Joseph Pence and Sara (Joey) LaVergne, both of Fort Wayne; great-grandchildren, Grace and Lucas; and a sister, Dixie Alexander of Columbia City.

Additionally, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Deloris Parker and Alberta Malcolm, and two nieces, Judi Bodine and Vicki Maddux.

The funeral service is 10 a.m. Friday at the Columbia City Church of the Brethren, 112 N Washington St, Columbia City. Burial is at the Nolt Cemetery. Visitation is from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City, and one hour prior to the service Friday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to Columbia City Church of the Brethren - Women's Fellowship, St Paul of the Cross Food Pantry, or the Whitley County Community Foundation Heart of Gold.