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 Virginia & Jessica (Darriel) Alsobrooks of Battle Creek, MI. Deonne is a proud grandmother of two granddaughters, Nora & Maya Alsobrooks.

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.

Jonathon was born and raised in Battle Creek, graduating from Lakeview High School with the Class of 1995.  In 1998, Jonathon graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Wheeling, Illinois.  Receiving his mortuary license in 1999, Jonathon remained in the Greater Chicago area until joining our staff in June 2003.

Jonathon is a member of the Woodland Church of Battle Creek.  He has an active music ministry that allows him to travel to various area churches, believing the vocal gift God gave him should be used to tell others about Him.

Jonathon and his wife, Allison (Buck), live in Battle Creek with their two young boys, Thomas and Joseph.

A true sports enthusiast, Jonathon is a Chicago Bears, St. Louis Cardinals, Michigan State University and Detroit Tigers & Red Wings fan!  His true passions in life are his wife and children and spending as much time with family as he possibly can.

Jonathon benefited greatly from the Shrine Hospital for Children in Chicago, Illinois.  He, therefore, has a great passion for helping others in need and is very active in Community Service.  Jonathon is an Imperial Ambassador for the Shrine of North America, Past-President of the Cereal City Lions Club, Past-Master of Battle Creek Lodge #12 F&AM, member of the Battle Creek Shrine Club, Chief Ambassador of the Saladin Shrine Temple in Grand Rapids and a member of many other Masonic Organizations. He is also a Past-Commander and currently the 1st Vice-Commander of the Sons of the American Legion Squadron #298 where he also served on the Make-A-Wish committee for many years, and is also a member of the American Legion Riders, Post 298.  A true advocate for our military, veterans, and first responders, Jonathon is the current secretary of the Calhoun County Red White & Blue Foundation.

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.