Elizabeth McDowell was a former staff member of Bluffton University

Elizabeth Ann McDowell, 68, died March 7, 2015, at 11:35 pm at Mennonite Memorial Home, Bluffton.  She  was born Oct. 19, 1946, in Cincinnati to the late Troy and Evelyn (Schoenberger) Phillips.

She had been a secretary in the Bluffton University Athletic Office and later was a chaplain at Sunny Side Village, Sarasota, Fla. She was a member of First Mennonite Church, Bluffton. She volunteered at Mennonite Memorial Home, Bluffton. 

She was a graduate of Princeton High School, Glendale, Ohio and Capital University, Bexley, Ohio.

Survivors include: four daughters Emily Drake of Bluffton, Beth Drake of Bluffton, Erin Drake of Charleston, S.C., Elaine Drake of Bluffton; seven grandchildren  Anthony  Burkhart, Keri Burkhart, Alexander Markowski, Nicholas Markowski, Sophia Zemba, Logan Criblez, Damien Criblez; a brother, Ted (Debbie) Phillips of Lafayette, Ind.; two nephews Troy (Sarah) Phillips, Todd (Chelsea) Phillips; and a niece Tracey (Todd) Raines all of Indiana.

A memorial service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at First Mennonite Church, Bluffton.  Revs. Steven Yoder and Gloria Hernandez-Bucher officiating. Burial of the cremated remains will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Cincinnati at a later date.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Mennonite Church, Bluffton, or to the Bluffton University Women's Association.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com

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