Martin Luther Mcdowell

Martin L. “Luther” McDowell, 99, of Independence, Kansas formerly of Cherryvale, Kansas passed away Monday, May 1, 2017 at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center.

Martin Luther McDowell was born October 28, 1917 in Agnes, Missouri the son of William Dell McDowell and Ida Leona (Chandler) McDowell. He grew up in Cherryvale and attended Cherryvale Schools.

On June 15, 1946 in Cherryvale he was united in marriage to Lillian Ruth Allen and she preceded him in death February 3, 2002.

Luther served in the United States Army from August 2, 1941 and was honorably discharged August 19, 1945 while attaining the rank of sergeant.

Luther worked for the United State Post Office in Cherryvale as a mail carrier and he retired in January of 1979. In his earlier years he worked as a mechanic and sold life insurance.

He lived in Cherryvale most his life and was a member of the Cherryvale Golf Course and Crystalbrook Church in Independence.

Luther loved to fish, golf, travel, bowl and play with his grandkids. He was an avid Kansas City Royals and Chiefs fan.

He will be remembered as a loving husband, dad and grandpa. He enjoyed being around his family and traveling with them.

Survivors include, daughters, Dorothy Whitaker of Independence, Kansas, Ellen Sewell of Coffeyville, Kansas, sisters, Opal Gruber of Baxter Springs, Kansas, Barbara Hallmark of Irving, Texas, grandchildren, Mark Hader, Brian Sewell, Shelley Mrkwa, Clint Sewell, Dave Kerr, Amy Newkirk, eight great grandchildren and one great great grandchild on the way.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and daughter, Janet Newkirk.