Bennett Lee Dowell

January 20, 1927 - August 1, 2019

Bennett Lee “B.L.” Dowell, age 92, of Latham, passed away Thursday, August 1, 2019, at Moniteau Care Center in California surrounded by his loving family. He was born January 20, 1927, in Excelsior, Missouri, a son of the late Bennett and Ada (Gabriel) Dowell. On January 22, 1947, in Versailles, he was united in marriage to Edna Ilene Smith who preceded him in death on October 3, 2018. Together, they shared seventy-one years of marriage. B.L. worked in road construction having helped build several bridges in the area. Later, he worked for construction companies erecting many state buildings in Jefferson City. He was also a lifelong farmer in the Latham area. He enjoyed bowling, playing cards, pitching horseshoes and most of all, spending time with his family. He is survived by his son, David Dowell and wife Christie of California, Missouri; daughters, Wanda Wilde and husband Greg of Latham, Missouri and Belva Gerke and husband Jim of Gravois Mills, Missouri; grandchildren, Shanay Lepper and husband Jim, Tiffany Lueckenotte and husband Keith, Shawna Shewmaker and husband Brian, Barbara Whittle, Eric Gerke and wife Carolyn, Trisha Berve, Ben Gerke and wife Jessica and Cara Allen and husband Aaron; fourteen great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson, Larson Stuedle; brother, Robert Dowell of Versailles, Missouri; sisters, Rose Brewer, Alma Hoskins and Sue Holst all of Versailles, Missouri and many other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a brother, James Lewis Dowell and sister, Wilma Hoskins. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, August 4th, at the Kidwell-Garber Funeral Home in Versailles with Don Engelbrecht officiating. Graveside services and interment will follow in the Hopewell Cemetery near Barnett. The family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Sunday, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions are suggested to Hopewell Cemetery Association or to Central Missouri Hospice. Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Kidwell-Garber Funeral Home in Versailles.