John Thomas Howard, age 87, of Lawrenceville, Illinois, passed away on Thursday, September 12, 2024 at BridgePointe Health Campus in Vincennes, Indiana.
John Thomas Howard, age 87, of Lawrenceville, Illinois, passed away on Thursday,
September 12, 2024 at BridgePointe Health Campus in Vincennes, Indiana. He was born on September 22, 1936 in Broughton, Illinois, the son of Sherman and Beulah (Stallings) Howard. He married Emily D. Harper on June 26, 1953, and she survives.
John and his wife, Emily, owned and operated John’s Mower Sales in Lawrenceville. He was a member of the Illinois National Guard in Joliet and Lawrenceville for a total of 37 years. He was also a member of the National Association for Retired Federal Employees and the American Legion Post 28. He attended the First Church of God and the Bridgeport Free Methodist Church. He taught Sunday School, was on the church board, and was a trustee. John was quick witted, great encourager, wise counsel, and always had a positive attitude. He will be remembered as a wonderful husband, dad, grandpa, and friend.
Preceding him in death were his parents; two brothers, Eddie Howard and Everett Howard; two sisters, Lois Spence and Lucille Wilson; one daughter, Pearl May Howard; and one grandson, Daniel Banks.
Survivors include his wife, Emily; three daughters, Anita Banks and husband, Robert of Evansville, Indiana, Dana Lynn Howard-Elder and husband, Kelley of Evansville, Indiana, and Rebecca Sue Arnold and husband, Charles of Lawrenceville, Illinois; one sister, and Linda Ellison of Norris City, Illinois; seven grandchildren, Ruth Devine and husband, Josh, Audrey Hatfield and husband, Chris, Loren Crask and husband, Michael, Eden Daugherty, Kyle Laslie, Abigail Worley and husband, Benson, and Julia Bauer; 11 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; as well as a Brother-in-Christ, Jim Riggs.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3:00 PM CDT on Sunday, September 15, 2024 at the Bridgeport Free Methodist Church, located at 473 East Chestnut Street in Bridgeport, Illinois. Visitation will be on Sunday from 1:00 PM until the service hour of 3:00 PM CDT at the church. Graveside services will be conducted at 1:00 PM CDT on Tuesday at the IOOF Cemetery in Norris City, Illinois. Memorial donations may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation or Bridgeport Free Methodist Church. Emmons-Macey & Steffey Funeral Home in Lawrenceville, Illinois in charge of the arrangements.
Please visit www.emmonsmaceysteffey.com to view the tribute and to send condolences.
