Our Staff

John was born in Battle Creek, number four of six, to John F. and Mary Louise (Smith) Dowdle. He graduated from St. Philip Catholic Central, received his Bachelor in Business Administration from Western Michigan University and his Mortuary Science Degree from Wayne State University.

He began his career with Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care in 1972.  John has been involved in many local civic and fraternal organizations and is a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.  He enjoys working outdoors in his yard, electrical and mechanical work and more than anything spending time with his wife, Debbie,  children, Cory (Kori) Dowdle, Bart (Janelle) Dowdle and Adam Dowdle, and six grandchildren; Jackson, Jagger, Emma, Vada, Cooper, and Rosabelle. John has been a lifelong Detroit Tiger and Lion fan and also cheers on Michigan State. John currently serves as president of Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care

Deonne joined the company upon graduating from Lakeview High School and Michigan State University. Go Green! She joined the family owned business in 1976. She is currently the Secretary-Treasurer of the company. In addition to administrative duties, her primary focus is with their Preneed Division.  She has her Resident Life Insurance License through the State of Michigan allowing her to offer the families they serve an option to prepay with funeral home associated insurance.  Funding is also available through escrow funding with MFDA (Michigan Funeral Directors Association) of which the funeral home is a member.

Deonne has two grown daughters, Stacey Smith now living in New York & Jessica (Darriel) Alsobrooks of Battle Creek, MI. Deonne enjoys getting outside for walks, kayaking, gardening, spending time with her daughters and grandchildren.

Deonne has been involved with several local committees in the Battle Creek community.  She was a former board member at the Battle Creek Community Foundation and various committees with the foundation.   She is also a member of Chapel Hill United Methodist Church.

Andy has three beautiful girls, Hunter, Ryleigh, and Ashton. He married his wife, Sarah, on July 13, 2019. He is a member of the Battle Creek Kiwanis Club.  As an avid sports enthusiast, he roots for all Detroit teams and is a dedicated University of Michigan fan.  During the summers, Andy enjoys camping with his family and their two dogs by Lake Michigan, and takes one long trip to the Upper Peninsula each year.  They proudly participate in the Mackinac Bridge Walk each Labor Day.

Sarah A. Collins graduated from Gull Lake High School in 2015 and Kalamazoo Valley Community College in 2018. In September 2022 she graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science where she received the Worsham Indomitable Spirit Award and completed her apprenticeship at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care. She enjoys knitting, reading, kayaking, hiking, and spending time with her two cats.