Howell, Irving R. "Skeet" 1908-1979

HOWELL, BURGER, BATES, HAMILTON, EGBERTSON

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 10/22/2009 at 10:10:13

Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register

IRVING HOWELL SERVICES HELD

Funeral services for Irving R. "Skeet" Howell, 70, of 1408 Summer St., who died Thursday, Aug. 30, at Grinnell General Hospital, were held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Grinnell United Church of Christ-Congregational.

The Rev. Philip J. Ramstad officiated. Organist was Norman Goodbrod. Honorary pallbearers were Dr. Floyd Beaver, Dr. Atwood Brock, G. Lester Duke, Milton Maupin, Frank Ritter, James L. Rusk and Charles P. Vogel. Pallbearers were Dan Agnew, Robert Barnhouse, Larry Crawford, Luther E. Erickson, James H. Sprading and James M. White.

Burial was at Hazelwood Cemetery, with the Smith Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

The son of Alexander Allison and Sadie Burger Howell, he was born Dec. 13, 1908, at Wallkill, N.Y., after which he was employed in the accounting offices of Arden Farms, a large estate owned by Averill and Roland Harriman, in New York. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland as a small-arms instructor.

He was married to Barbara Bates in New York City on Dec. 18, 1942. Following his discharge from the Army, the couple came to Grinnell.

Mr. Howell began his long association with Bates Flowers at that time, being a partner in the business with his father-in-law, R.E. Bates. In 1955, he purchsed the business, and Mr. and Mrs. Howell continued operating the business until his retirement in December 1976.

He was a member of the United Church of Christ-Congregational, serving on the church's board of trustees. He was also a member of Hermon Masonic Lodge No. 273, AF and AM; the Palestine Chapter No. 47 of the Royal Arch Masons; the B.P.O. Elks Lodge No. 1266; and Focht-Tennant Post No. 53, American Legion. He served on the Grinnell Park Commission, the United Fund board, and the Grinnell Chamber of Commerce board. He was a past president of the Grinnell Rotary Club and had held a perfect attendance membership for over 25 years.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara; his sons, Thomas H. Howell of West Lafayette, Ind., and Edward A. (Ned) Howell of Upland, Calif.; a grandson; and two sisters, Mrs. Edith Hamilton of Gainesville, Fla.; and Mrs. Grace Egbertson of Goshen, N.Y.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a granddaughter, and a brother, Harvey Howell.