Mary Hill (Valentine) Downard

Mary Hill Downard, 92 years, of Alton, IL, died Saturday, May 20th. She was born June 17, 1924, in Greenfield, IL, the daughter of Jo and Ruth (Meneley) Valentine. She married Byron M. Hill, Jr. on July 9, 1942, in Alameda, CA. He preceded her in death on Oct. 10, 1978. Mary married Dr. James A. Downard Feb.14, 1982.

Mary graduated in 1942, from Greenfield High School, in Illinois, and she earned her Associates Degree from Lewis & Clark Community College at age 92. She was an active partner in the Hill Lumber Company for 32 years and designed kitchens as part of the business. She was Treasurer of City of Greenfield for 13 years. Mary and her husband, Byron, were licensed pilots for over twenty years, and were generous about giving free airplane rides to family and friends.

Mary also served several terms on the Board of Directors for the Greenfield Public Library and was instrumental with their new library building project in 1990. During her years in Greenfield, Mary was a member of the Methodist Church and often attended the First Baptist Church.

As Mrs. Downard, Mary lived in Washington, DC area until they moved to the Downard farm in Michigantown, Indiana, in 1985. She was a member of Michigantown Christian Church and was clerk for the Church for 13 years. She was an avid supporter of the Michigantown Public Library.

Surviving are four daughters Jan (husband Wade) Hill of Brenham, TX; Nancy Hill (husband Michael Everett) of Fruita, CO; Alice (husband Stephen) Bartelli of Brighton, IL; and Jean Hill of Sadieville, KY. Surviving grandchildren are William Fiola (wife Erika) of Atlanta, GA, and Paige Fiola of Nicholasville, KY. Also surviving are Downard step-daughter Marilyn (husband Michael) Johnson of Topeka, KS. and their children Lance, Ellen, & James; and step-daughter Ellen (husband Kenneth) Reikowski of Valrico, FL. and their children Matthew, Ashley, & Thomas; and there are 4 great grandchildren in the Downard family. A sister, Mildred Davis of Alton,IL. survives. Mrs. Downard was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Roberta Haven Wade and Anne Valentine Plemitscher.

Memorial donations in her honor can be made to the Greenfield Public Library. The family will host an open house in celebration of Mary’s life at a later date. Her internment will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Greenfield.

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