Glen Earl ‘Skip’ Downen, 88

Graveside services for Glen Earl “Skip” Downen, 88, of West Plains, will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, March 26, 2021, at the Ball Cemetery. Mr. Downen will lie in state from 5 until 8 p.m. Thursday at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home in West Plains. He died March 20 at Brooke Haven Healthcare in West Plains. 

He was born Nov. 2, 1932, in West Plains, the son of Roy Bertis and Stella Lorrine Fine Downen. He graduated from West Plains High School in 1950. On Nov. 21, 1955, in West Plains, he married Ina Shipley. He was a Navy veteran, having served as a communications officer during the Korean War.

Mr. Downen retired as a supervisor from the International Shoe Factory. He enjoyed spending time with his family, gardening, listening to bluegrass music and traveling. He was someone who “never met a stranger.” He. was a longtime member of the Primitive Baptist Church. 

He is survived by his wife, Ina Shipley; two sons, Gary Downen and wife Kate, and Dan Downen and wife Sheila; four grandchildren, Aubry Downen, Emily Downen, Amanda Coleman and Dustin Downen and wife Jami; three great-grandchildren, Katie, Lucas and Kelcee; one sister, Christine Brewer; and several nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and one sister. 

 Memorial contributions may be made to Ball Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 W. Main St., West Plains, MO  65775.

Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, West Plains, directors.