Paul Andrew Downes

Paul Andrew Downes, 61, of Westphalia, passed away on December 11, 2021 after a tragic battle with COVID-19. He was born on March 23, 1960, the son of William and Loretta (Hogan) Downes. Paul was a faithful member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, where he also contributed his singing talents as a cantor for Mass. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and a Lay Member of the Trinitarians of Mary, where he faithfully dedicated much of his retirement. He loved his Catholic Faith and had a heart for sharing it with others. Paul graduated from Sexton High School in Lansing and went on to earn a skills trade in die making. Paul met his wife, Karen, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and they got married April 5, 1986 in Hancock, Michigan. Paul and Karen enjoyed 35 years of marriage together with their twelve children. Paul worked at General Motors for over 30 years before retiring and going into business with his sons. He enjoyed many hobbies including bee-keeping, woodworking, and welding. He was a great storyteller and an inventive chef in the kitchen. Paul loved spending time with his children in the great outdoors and taught them how to hunt, fish, and how to stay alive in the wild.

Preceding Paul in death is his father, William Downes; stepfather, Larry Davis; father-in-law, Raymond Porkka; brother, Michael Downes; niece, Margaret Yanoschik; and nephew, Forrest Porkka. Left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife of 35 years, Karen Downes; 12 children, Sarah (Nathan) Mikkelson, Joel Downes, Daniel (Grace) Downes, Joan Downes, Seth Downes, John Downes, Catherine Downes, Patrick Downes, Michael Downes, Alexander Downes, Miriam Downes, and Lauren Downes; mother, Loretta (Downes) Davis; siblings, Joseph Downes, Thomas (Susan) Downes, Julie (Darrell) Streeter, David (Julieanne) Downes, Anne-Marie (Matthew) Yanoschik, and Amy Downes; five grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Darrel Kempf at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, December 16, 2021 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Pewamo. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 2-8 p.m. at the St. Mary’s Funeral Chapel, 210 N. Westphalia Street, Westphalia. The rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m. at the chapel on Wednesday. For those who wish, contributions may be made to Paul’s children's continued education. Online condolences may be made at www.lehmanfuneralhomes.com.

*The family has requested that those in attendance of the visitation and funeral wear a mask or face covering*

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Paul Andrew Downes, please visit our floral store.