Lowell T. “Terry” McKown age 81 of Clinton, passed away Monday, July 29, 2024, at his home surrounded by his family. In following Terry’s wishes, cremation rites will be accorded. No services are planned at this time. A “living” celebration of life was previously held at his home on July 13, 2024. The Pape Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Terry was born in Plainview, NE on August 5, 1942, the son of Lowell Arthur and Mary Loreen (Arnes) McKown. He married Rosemary “Peggy” Young on March 4, 1964. Peggy passed away on August 4, 1966. He married Joan Hamilton on December 23, 1967. Terry later married Madonna DeWitt on August 20, 1977. He remarried Joan in 1983. Terry was raised in Davenport, IA, moving to Clinton in 1967, where he was employed in the body shop at McEleney Motors. He transferred to Heritage Motors as the body shop manager. He later owned and operated McKown Radiator Service, after which he worked for ADM until his retirement. After his retirement, he worked part time for the Egging Corporation until November 2022. Terry was a member of the former Odeon Club where he bowled, and part time bar tended. He spent many years boating on the Mississippi River and enjoyed playing and watching golf. He loved working on cars and had an open-door policy for family and friends to work on theirs. In his spare time, he tinkered around repairing lawn mowers and finding other projects to work on. His garage was the place to be. He was known for throwing epic Halloween parties and loved having friends over for beers and laughs. He mostly enjoyed his family and friends, having his grand and great grandchildren at his home playing. He will be greatly missed.
Terry is survived by 3 children; Michele “Micki” Janssen, Lisa (Kevin McEleney) Seymour, and John (Stephany) McKown all of Clinton; grandchildren, Terry (Tasha Ross) King, Brandon Scott, Brianna (Matt Boles) Anderson, Taylor (Brandon Lackland) Young, Zachary McKown, Dakota Patty, Emma Wulf, Maverick Wulf, Sabrina Witt, Austin (Jaydon) Witt, and Chelsea Witt; great grandchildren, Aliyah, Terrissa, Brandon Jr., Truman, Elijah, Liana, Lyla, Nola, Sienna, and Bryson; 2 sisters, Judy Wistedt of Rock Island and Mary Jane Burkhart of Davenport; a brother, Richard (Diane) McKown of Davenport; his bonus family, Brad and Kathy Witt, Jeff Knipper, Marty Wilslef, Brent Melvin, Laura Dodd, and friend Darrell Dau. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Rosemary, his wife Joan, his sister Joyce Werthmann, and 3 brothers-in-law, Nel Wistedt, Joe Burkhart, and Joe Werthmann. Online condolences may be left at www.papefh.com
Terry was a wonderful man and a great role model to his family! He always had a helping hand to those in need and a can do attitude in everything he did. He touched our family in many ways and with his passing has left a big hole in our lives. We will forever miss you Terry…thank you for taking us under your wing when we first moved out here!
Terry was so much fun to work with. So glad I got to see him at his celebration. So sorry for your loss. Prayers for your family
I love you more than anything on this earth. I will miss you dearly gramps ????
What a wonderful heart this man had!! We will miss him tremendously!! We feel blessed to have loved him & honored to call him framily!! Rest in peace Dear Man … you’ll be in our heart forever!!