Henry B. Howard, 81 of rural Ovid passed away at his home on Saturday, July 1, 2017. Henry was born on October 20, 1935 in Gratiot County the son of James and Orpha (Landis) Howard. He graduated from Elsie High School in 1954 and served his country in the US Army. On April 6, 1957 he married Sharlyn Thornton in the Duplain Church. Henry worked as a heating and plumbing contractor for several years. In 1988 he went to work for the State of Michigan as a Mechanical Inspector from which he retired in 2004. After that he became the plumbing and heating inspector for Clinton and Shiawassee Counties, as well as for AGS inspection services. As an avid sports fan, Henry especially enjoyed cheering on the Spartans. He was a WWII buff, officiated high school football and basket ball for 20 years and was a member of the Clinton County Sheriff's Posse. Henry is survived by his wife Sharlyn, daughter, Debbie Howard of Columbia City, IN and son, Craig (Leslie) Howard of Petoskey. Grandchildren, Joshua (Kacey) Howard and Danielle (Cheyenne) Smith both of Petoskey. Great grandchildren, Makija Howard and Mila Smith and sister Willann (Bud) Casler of Ovid. He was preceded in death by his 5 siblings.
The family will receive friends and relatives at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home in St. Johns on Wednesday, July 5, 2017, 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, July 6, 2017 at 2:00 P.M. with Pastor Brendan Holmquist and Pastor Larry Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Duplain Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Youth Haven Ranch, 3796 Perrine Rd., Rives Junction, MI 49277, Grove Bible Church or Sparrow Hospice.

Affiliations

Army