October 23, 2025 at 9:20 a.m.
Margaret Louise (Schmidt) Downey, 99, Hope
By Norman Funeral Home
Margaret Louise (Schmidt) Downey, 99, died in her home on October 20, 2025.
Margaret known to many as “Peg” lived a full and rich life surrounded by her first love – Family. She was born July 1, 1926, the daughter of Oscar and Louise (Merkel) Schmidt. She was born and lived in Cincinnati, OH. She spoke fondly of her childhood, some of the highlights including riding the street cars, accompanying her father on sales calls, life in the Walnut Street Baptist church, listening to the Reds baseball games especially on opening day. Her love of reading often rendered a reprimand due to reading with a flashlight in bed long after bedtime. Her love of reading remained a passion that she passed to her family. Nap and bedtime books were a special time and provided fond memories to all her children and grandchildren.
Peg graduated from Green Hills high school in 1944 and then attended Franklin College; the first of her family to attend college. Her desire to learn served her well during her life. Over her lifetime she witnessed many communication changes, and she evolved with those changes. She learned to find on-line videos to help her with sewing projects, video chatted with family, received pictures through messaging, and followed current events of her family and friends through social media.
At Franklin College, she graduated with a degree in Education which led to a career teaching both full time and as a substitute teacher. She was an 81-year member of the Delta Zeta sorority (Psi Chapter). It was also at Franklin College that Peg met her husband, Owen Downey, and was married on July 18, 1948, in her home church in Cincinnati, OH.
The couple began their 47-year marriage, residing in Shelbyville, IN and later moved to the town of Hope IN. and finally to the family farmstead outside of Hope, IN
The city born girl adjusted to country community life rather quickly, learning to bake pies under the guidance of her mother-in-law Lydia Downey well enough to supply a local restaurant. Other community service included many roles at the First Baptist Church of Hope where she was a member for more than 75 years, American Baptist Women’s Association, Early Bird Home Ec. Club, 4-H Club leader, a member of the Hope Ladies Care Club (formerly known as Kill Kare Klub), and Delta Zeta Alumni chapter. Peg’s most satisfying hours were spent Sewing and creating special items for her family and friends. She loved to teach and shared her passions with many family members and friends. Another one of her love gifts was preparing food and desserts. The family meals created times for sharing, and formed strong family bonds and traditions.
Peg was preceded in death by her husband, Owen K. Downey 1995, her son, Howard Downey 2025, her parents, her brother Harold Schmidt, and sister Betty Pigman.
Her self-acclaimed highest accomplishment and reward is the family legacy she began. Peg was a wonderful and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.
Her legacy includes 7 children (plus spouses), 24 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren.
She is survived by her children Phyllis (Rodger) Weaver of Bennington, IN; Wayne (Theresa) Downey of Hope, IN; Sharon (Ron) Waltz of Hope IN; daughter-in-law Elizabeth (“Betsy”) of Hope, IN; Dale (Anne) Downey of Boonville, IN; David (Deborah) of Prattville, AL; Joyce (Mike) Meiners of Oregon, IL. Her grandchildren: Scott (Bridgett) Weaver; Marlene (Deron) Baker; Becky (Lucas) Crowder; Nathan (Sheila) Downey; Dana Downey; Christi (Brian) Waltz; Kim Waltz; Tracey Waltz, Ryan (Paige) Waltz; Patrick (Libby) Downey; John Downey; Erika (Rob) Slinker, Samantha Downey, Amanda (Brad) Woods; Allyson (Aidan) Bennett; Marie Downey; Grace Downey; Eliza Downey; Jael Downey; Lily Downey; Owen Downey; Chelsea (Guillermo) Meiners; Natalie (Justin) Patrie; Marin Meiners.
Visitation hours will be on October 24, 2025, at the First Baptist Church of Hope, (455 Jackson Street, Hope, IN 47246) from 4 – 8 p.m. and one hour before the funeral service. Funeral Services on October 25, 2025, at the First Baptist Church at 11 a.m., Dennis Chasteen officiating.
Donations may be made in her honor and memory to the First Baptist Church of Hope and Our Hospice of South Central Indiana (2626 E. 17th St., Columbus, IN 47201).
