Howard H. Ruhno

Howard H. Ruhno, 90, of St. Joseph, passed away Friday, April 22, 2011 at Caretel Inns of Lakeland in St. Joseph, where he resided for the last 3 ½ years. A private Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301. Those wishing to sign Howard's Guest Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Howard was born September 9, 1920 in St. Joseph to William & Martha (Gastrom) Ruhno. He graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1938. Howard joined the US Air Force and served his country during World War II in the 387th Fighter Squadron. On April 14, 1950, he married the former Ilah Healy in South Bend, Indiana. Howard owned and operated the Sinclair/Arco service station on Main St. in St. Joseph from 1947 until 1970. He and Ilah moved to St. Petersburg, Florida in 1971 and purchased the Plantation Motel which they operated until 1981. In 2007, they moved full time back to St. Joseph. In his spare time, Howard enjoyed bowling & fishing. Howard is survived by his wife Ilah; his son Jeffrey of Stevensville; two daughters-Martha Ruhno of St. Joseph and Jean Lewetag of Palmetto, FL; two grandchildren-Joel & Andrea Lewetag; two nephews-David (Kimberly) Ruhno of Saginaw, MI, Robert (Sue) Hardy of Stevensville; & a niece Sue (Tom) Russell of Bridgman. He was preceded in death by his brother Wilbur Ruhno and his sister Gladys Hardy.