William Howell

William “Joe” Howell, 84, of Benton Harbor, passed away Friday, March 23, 2012 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph. Celebration of Life Services will be held 10:00 A.M. Tuesday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph with Elder Kurt Schneider officiating. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens, Coloma, with military rites conducted by the North Berrien Military Rites Team. Friends may call from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. Monday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Community of Christ Church, Benton Harbor or the great-grandchildren’s college fund. Those wishing to sign Joe’s Memory Book online may do so at www.stark-menchinger.com. Joe was born May 11, 1927 in Ward, Arkansas to Benjamin & Emma (Sadler) Howell. He graduated from high school in Beebe, Arkansas and entered the US Navy to serve his country. On November 26, 1950, he married the former Elizabeth Melissa Atwood in St. Joseph. Joe was employed in maintenance for Benton Harbor Area Schools, retiring in 1991 after thirty years. Joe was active in his church where he served as an elder. He enjoyed reading and keeping up to date on with the news and weather. Most of all he enjoyed the time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren. Joe is survived by his son Bill (Rhonda) Howell of Benton Harbor; two grandchildren-Mark (Shelby) Mills of Mohnton, PA, Janet (Benny) Rodriguez of St. Joseph; four great-grandchildren-Baylee Rodriguez, Morgan, Marissa & Mason Mills; his sister Charlene Patty of Ward, Arkansas; his sister-in-law Joyce Howell of Austin, Arkansas; and a niece Brenda (Norm) Griffin. He was preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth in 1990, his daughter Patricia Howell Hartman in 2008, his great-grandson McKager Mills in 2005 and his brother Dalton Howell.