Donald Lee Howard
Indiana native Donald Lee Howard passed away Monday, June 18, 2012, after a courageous six-year battle with cancer.
He was 75.
After graduating from Franklin Township High School in 1955, he served in the Army Reserves with a M.A.S.H. unit. He attended Indiana University Purdue University Indiana-polis and began his engineering career at Indiana Gear Works, Indianapolis.
In December 1983, he married Shirley Davis. Two years later they established D&S Manufacturing and Engineering in Brazil. Following 13 rewarding years in the business, they retired to Southwest Florida where they built a home in St. James City.
He enjoyed traveling, tending to the family farm and riding his motorcycle. He especially enjoyed taking his boat, “Strohs 1,” out for a day on the water and cooking ham and beans for get-togethers by the pool. He loved his wife and family above all and delighted in spending time with them. While he will be missed by many, he bravely fought the battle and went peacefully in the end.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Margaret Howard.
In addition to his wife, Shirley, survivors include his daughters, Deborah (Robert) Truxal of Greencastle, Brenda (David) Abel of Jacksonville, Fla., and Cathy Ryan of Brazil; son, Don E. (Joyce) Howard of Brazil; stepchildren, Dwayne Dyer of Florida and Sheila Gianelli of California; 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sister, Janice (Gilbert) Duell of Brazil; as well as two nephews and two nieces.
Visitation and a private service were held in Indiana. Burial will be at Cottage Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in memory of Don to: American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718 or at www.cancer.org; Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), 2100 L Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20037 or at www.humanesociety.org; or envelopes will be available at the funeral home.