Jack F. Downing

Jack F. Downing, age 87, of Hammond, Indiana, passed away on June 16, 2026. He is survived by his wife, Linda Downing (nee Mattoon); sons Jack Downing, Daniel Downing and Michael Downing; grandchildren, Amanda (Joe) Frank, Zachary Downing, Ashley (Billy) Rogers, Benjamin (Saoirse) Downing and Hannah Downing, along with many nieces and nephews. As the last of his birth family, he was preceeded in death by his parents, Clarence L. and Mary E. Downing; brothers, Les (Jeanne), Ralph (Rhea) and Robert (Lavonne) Downing, sisters, Rosemary (Don) Clark, and Nancy (Pat) Clark.

Born on August 10, 1938, Jack was a lifelong resident of Hammond, Indiana. He grew up in the Hessville neighborhood before much of it was developed and he spoke fondly of those early days, roaming the woodlands and prairies. He attended Harding Elementary School and Morton High School. He worked as an Operating Engineer at the Hammond Sanitary District for 46 years. He was a league bowler at Plaza Lanes and was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan, thanks to the influence of his birth family. 

Jack married Linda Mattoon on April 25, 1958, and together they celebrated 68 years of marriage in 2026. Jack was a diligent worker, dedicated to providing for his wife and family, and with Linda made a safe and happy home where they raised three boys. He loved his children and kept many notes and momentos of their lives growing up. In his final days he expressed many times how much he loved and how proud he was of his boys, and how much he loved and adored his faithful friend and loving wife, Linda. Jack is greatly missed and will be greatly missed from here on out, he was a key piece of the puzzle that is our family, and we are grateful to him for everything he gave to us.

Jack was healthy and able bodied at the start of this year but then suffered a devastating stroke, requiring months of nursing care and therapy. During this time Linda was the most important thing in the world to him, he lit up with joy every time he saw her, and asked about her constantly when she was away. He yearned to be with her every moment he could, and she faithfully spent many hours per day with him to give him comfort and peace, as did Michael.

We are immensely grateful for all of the generous and caring people we met at Ignite Dyer (Ember West and East) and the Franciscan Dyer inpatient rehabilitation department, they were so loving and kind to Jack and his family, they were his village and surrogate family in his final months of life. 

Jack's caregivers filled his days with cheerfulness and light and provided him help and community when he needed it most. Jack truly loved his nursing assistants and nurses and therapists, who provided such vital help and so many amazing interactions, some calling him their favorite forgetful person.

Through it all he expressed lots of praise, love and gratitude to those around him, showing kindness and goodness to those who cared for him. He was surrounded by kind and loving people right up until the end. Jack was a Christian and appreciated all of the prayers he received during his final months, and we are grateful to everyone for their prayers and care through all of this, and we thank God for hearing and seeing us through all of it.

In his post-stroke rehab days, where he experienced much confusion and short term memory loss, we told him that he had met and been cared for and cheered on by so many lovely people that he had no memory of, and told him that when he gets to heaven he could watch the film and see it for himself. To which he quickly quipped: "oh boy, reruns!"

No services have been held but we hope to have a celebration of life some time in the future.

Cremation entrusted to Hillside Funeral Home & Cremation Center Konnie Kuiper - Michael Kuiper-Vass www.hillsidefhcares.com 219-838-0800

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