Duane "Big D" Dowler

Duane M. (Big D) Dowler, 38, of Mt. Vernon, lost his short battle with cancer on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. He passed peacefully surrounded by some of his loved ones at Deaconess Gateway Hospital. Duane was born April 25, 1984, in Evansville, the son of Dana Dowler and Renea (Robison) Stokes. He was set to marry his love, Cassie Inkenbrandt, this November.

Duane was a Mt. Vernon High School class of 2002 alumni. After graduating from High School, Duane volunteered with the Point Township Fire Department. He later worked at Sabic as a security guard/firefighter. For the last several years he was working for Jason Mann on Half Moon Farms. He was a member of the American Legion and Moose Lodge and was a staple at the Half Moon Saloon. Duane had a loving soul and never met a stranger, as his large group of friends will attest to. He had a contagious belly laugh that would brighten anybody’s day and people just gravitated to him. He was a rock for many people and a shoulder to cry on. He would have given you the shirt off his back and dropped everything to help you. One of his greatest joys was becoming a father to his son, Liam. He loved his family fiercely and loved being with them.

Duane is survived by his parents, Renea and Jerry Stokes, and Dana Dowler; fiancé, Cassie Inkenbrandt; sons, Liam Dowler and Michael McPherson; brother, Bryan (Toni) Dowler; grandparents, Patty and Ervin Robison and Judy Tolle; special uncle, Jon (Suzanna) Robison, and many other aunts and uncles; nieces, Sophia, Ellie, and Lucy Dowler; “nephews” Jonis Robison and Nolan Fischer; numerous cousins; future in-laws, Mark and Shannon Hildenbrand; and future brother and sisters-in-law; special friends, Jason Mann, Tim Hargett, Darin Toler, Tommy Gross, and Dustin Trout, and several other friends. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, William Dowler.

A memorial service will be held at 5:00 pm on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at the Denning Family Funeral Home with Rev. Dallas Robinson officiating. Visitation will take place from 2:00 pm until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left for the Liam Dowler College fund. Online condolences may be left at denningfamilyfuneralhome.com