Wanda Downs

Wanda Kay Downs, age 72, of rural Bryant passed away on Friday, June 27, 2025, in Parkview Hospital Randalia in Fort Wayne. 

She was born in Portland on Feb. 8, 1953, the daughter of Max and Martha (Noble) Butcher. She was married on June 17, 1995, to Roger Downs who survives. 

Wanda was retired from Smith Brothers Furniture in Berne and was a dog groomer. She was a Portland High School graduate and member of Bryant Wesleyan Church, raised and showed cocker spaniel dogs, was an avid Bengals fan and enjoyed NASCAR and dirt track racing.

Surviving are her husband Roger; one son, Aaron Walter (wife: Stephanie) of Dunkirk; two daughters, Angie Stuckey (companion: Bert West) of Hartford City and Carrie Schmit (husband: Joe) of Portland; two brothers, Mark Butcher (wife: Jiao) of Pennville and Michael Butcher (wife: Debbie) of Bryant; five sisters, Judy Simon (husband: Tim) of Lansing, Michigan, Diane Bost (husband: John) of Portland, Patty Meinerding (husband: Jerry) of Bryant, Amy Crabtree (husband: Barry) of Bryant and Lori Theurer (husband: Reuben) of Portland; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by a grandson, Austin Coates.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 3, at 2 p.m. in the Baird-Freeman Funeral Home with Pastor Paul Van Cise presiding. Burial will follow in the Gravel Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from noon to 2 p.m. 

Memorials can be made to the Jay County Humane Society.

Condolences may be expressed at bairdfreeman.com.