Joseph Howard III

Biography

Joseph Jackson Howard III, passed away March 12, 2009 from a stroke. He was born in Clay City, Indiana, January 25, 1941. Jack was the eldest of 9 children born to Lillie Mae and Walter Joseph Howard. Growing up he spent his younger years in Lansing, Michigan, He attended high school in New Market, Indiana, graduating from New Market High School where he was a star athlete in basketball, football and track. He began attending Indiana University on a football scholarship. He married Mary Lou Edwards on November 20, 1960 in Parkersburg, Indiana, at Parkersburg Christian Church, in the same church and with the officiating pastor his own parents used. Jack and Mary moved to Warsaw, Indiana, where they raised 8 children together. Laurie Lee Churchill (married to Jim Churchill), Warsaw, Indiana; Joseph Jackson Howard IV, Indianapolis, Indiana; Leslie Walter Howard (married to Rhonda Howard), Taft, Tennessee; Jacquelyn Marie DeLacruz, Warsaw, Indiana; Teresa Mary Schwab, Sparta, Tennessee; Angela Marie Howard, LaOtto, Indiana; and Rachael Claire Howard, Havana, Florida. He is preceded in death by a daughter, Katherine Ann Howard; 3 brothers, James, Robert and Charles and 1 sister, Geraldine. Surviving siblings are David, Judy, Steven and Nancy Ann.
At the age of 33, Jack accepted Christ into his life and has been an active and seeking Christian. Always wanting to know more about our Lord, he read and studied the bible regularly.
Jack worked at RR Donelly and Sons for 25 years as a printer journeyman, after which he went into construction management. In 1991, Jack, Mary and youngest daughter Rachael settled near Branson, Missouri, where they owned and operated a dry cleaners catering to the Branson shows. In 2001, Jack and Mary moved to their current residence in Havana, Florida. Jack retired in 2006. He spent most of his time in his garden, growing as many flowers, fruits and vegetables as space could hold. He was very active at Salem United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday School for both adults and children. Mr. Jack, as he was known in the community, always looked forward to going to Havana Elementary where he read in classes twice a week. He also tutored students in preparation for their GED.
Jack delighted in his 20 grandchildren, 3 great-granddaughters and the many children and grandchildren who considered him their Papa Jack.
A viewing will be held Sunday, March 15, 2009 at Faith Funeral Home Chapel in Havana, Florida ( 850-539-4300 or www.faithfuneralhome.com ) from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and his funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 16, 2009 at Salem United Methodist Church, with interment at Woodland Cemetery in Havana.

Visitation

Sunday March 15, 2009, 4:00 - 6:00 at Faith Funeral Home Chapel
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Funeral Service

Monday March 16, 2009, 11:00am at Salem United Methodist Church
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Interment to follow the service at Woodland Cemetery in Havana