Melissa Jo Downing

Melissa (Missy) Jo Downing, 48, of Des Moines, died at her residence Monday, Dec. 15, 2014. A funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 20 at Memorial Services of Iowa funeral home, 4208 N. Ankeny Blvd. A visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19 at the funeral home.

Missy was born June 14, 1966, in Ottumwa. Missy grew up in Ottumwa and enjoyed playing softball, excelling as a power hitting catcher. She moved to Ankeny in 1980, and she graduated from Ankeny High School in 1984. She started her working career in daycare, and worked a few miscellanous jobs until she went to work for Bondurant Schools for the last 15 years. She loved her job and her co-workers. She enjoyed horses, pets, going back to Ottumwa to hunt with her father, outdoor activities, leather crafts and Native American jewelry.

Missy is survived by her parents, JoAnne Downing of Ottumwa, Larry (Sandy) Downing of Ottumwa; siblings, Mike (Donnita) Nelson of South Dakota, Larry Dean (Lori) Downing of Pella, Kimetha (Don) Larkin, of Newton, a step-brother Randy of Texas, and a step-sister Amy of Illinois; nieces and nephews, Joe and Mychala Larkin, both of Newton, Mike (Ali) Adams of Omaha, and Andrea (Mike) Perrenoud of Colorado; six great-nieces and nephews; and one aunt, Virginia Carnes.

She is preceded in death by her husband Randy Weppel; her grandparents; and an uncle.
Memorials may be made to A.R.L. in Ankeny. Online condolences may be left at www.MemorialServicesOfIowa.com.