Wanda C. Howell
Wanda C. Howell, 74, a resident of rural Columbia City, and wife of Earl R. Howell, passed away at 10:43 a.m. Saturday, April 4, 2015, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne where she had been a patient for the past two weeks.
Mrs. Howell was born on July 15, 1940, in Fort Wayne, a daughter of Hubert and Nedra R. (Glander) McEowen. She spent her early years in Fort Wayne and as a high school freshman moved to Smith Township in Whitley County with her parents. She graduated from Churubusco High School in 1958 and also attended Olivet Nazarene University.
On Sept. 26, 1959, she was married in Fort Wayne to Earl R. Howell, and spent most of her adult life in Smith Township
She was the owner and operator of the Howell House in Churubusco for 30 years, retiring in 2006. A member of the First Church of God in Columbia City, she served in the nursery there, was known as an expert quilter, and had also authored children’s books.
The surviving relatives include her husband: Earl, to whom she was married for over 55 years; her children: Cathy (Bill) Jones, Woodstock; Debby (Rusty) Kreider, Danville, Ky.; Tim (Debby) Howell and Mindy (Gary) Hoffman, both of Columbia City; three brothers: David W. (Vonda) McEowen and Dr. Edwin L. (Mary Jo) McEowen, both of Columbia CityRoger A. (Jean) McEowen of Ankeny, Iowa; two sisters: Juanita (Jerry) Miller, Hoagland; Marcia (Mark) Hollopeter, Mason, Mich; and eight grandchildren.
Her parents preceded her in death.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a. m. Thursday, April 9, 2015, at the First Church of God in Columbia City with Pastor Johnny McCallister, officiating.
The family will receive friends at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, or at the church one hour prior to the service Thursday morning. Interment will be in the Eel River Cemetery, south of Churubusco.