Obituary of Frederick Leo Dowler

Frederick Leo Dowler was born on July 5, 1937 in Convoy, Ohio. He was one of three sons born to Leo Frederick and Leah (Etzler) Dowler. Fred was a graduate of Huron High School in New Boston, Michigan. On September 10, 1960 he wed the former Helen Kuderik at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waltz, Michigan. The couple were blessed with the birth of three children and enjoyed sixty-two years of marriage.  

Fred was employed twenty-nine years as a shipping supervisor by General Motors Corporation.   He retired in 1985. Not one to stay idle, he later obtained his real estate license and worked for several agencies. A member of the Monroe County Landlord Association.

Fred was a devout Christian and taught Sunday School at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waltz for twenty-one years. He was an active parishioner of Grace Lutheran Church in Monroe, serving as a trustee and participating in Thrivent Action Teams.   He was passionate when performing volunteer work to raise funds for the church and various charities. Fred also served his community as an election official and chairperson in Frenchtown Township for twenty-one years.

An outdoorsman, Fred looked forward to bow hunting every season at his family cabin in Leota, Michigan.   The home was a labor of love built with the help of his sons.  Fred spent the summer months landscaping his yard and vegetable gardening. After the harvest, he spent many hours canning his specialty tomato juice and pickled beets.

An avid sports fan, he cheered on the Detroit Lions football and Tigers baseball teams. Each winter, Fred and Helen traveled to Florida for six weeks to escape the cold weather and watch the Tiger’s spring training games. The pair explored many points of interest with Frenchtown Charter bus tours and took a Viking cruise to Germany and throughout Europe. They also visited the National Parks Out West, took in the tropical beauty of Hawaii and Acapulco, Mexico, and experienced an especially meaningful trip to the Holy Land. Although Fred had an adventurous spirit, he enjoyed nothing more than a simple family gathering and spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Frederick Dowler, age 85, of Monroe, passed away peacefully at ProMedica Toledo Hospital on Monday; October 3, 2022. His passing was preceded by his parents, a brother: Roger Dowler; two sisters-in-law: Karen Dowler and Judy Dowler; and two granddaughters: Paige Horvath and Olivia Dowler.

To cherish his memory he leaves his wife: Helen; three children: Shelly (Lowell) Yoas, Jeff (Lynette) Dowler, and Stephen (Valerie Horvath) Dowler; a brother: Marvin (Marilyn) Dowler of Harrison, Michigan; seven grandchildren: Camden (Kara) Dowler, Chelsea Dowler, Chase (Callie) Dowler, Ashton Yoas, Evan Yoas, Grant Dowler, and Erica Dowler; four great grandchildren: Russell Dowler, Luke Dowler, Annalee Raine Dowler, and Liam Ellis; and many nieces and nephews.

Friends may gather on Sunday; October 9, 2022 from 1:00pm until 6:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe; 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162 (734) 384-5185. Fred will lie in state from 10:00am until the time of a Worship Service Celebrating His Life at 11:00am on Monday; October 10, 2022 at Grace Lutheran Church; 630 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162.   Procession will follow to Michigan Memorial Park in Flat Rock, Michigan for burial.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Grace Lutheran Church, or a charity of the donor’s choice. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.