Richard Darrell Howard
Richard Darrell Howard
Richard Darrell Howard
May 19, 1954 – May 14, 2016
New Sharon, Iowa | Age 61
Rick Howard, 61 of New Sharon passed away Saturday afternoon, May 14, 2016 at the Mahaska Health Partnership Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. Richard Darrell Howard, the son of Darrell and Eileen (Braden) Howard, was born on May 19, 1954 in Oskaloosa, Iowa.
Rick graduated from North Mahaska High School in 1972 then attended Lincoln Tech Diesel School in Des Moines, graduating in 1973.
On June 1, 1974, Rick was united in marriage to Debra Diehm at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. To this union two sons were born, Craig and James.
Rick worked for Grinnell International Implement Store. He then worked for Harkema Chevrolet before opening Rick’s Auto Repair Shop, which he ran for 21 years. After closing his repair shop Rick worked for Pella Corp., O’Reilly’s Auto Part Store in Oskaloosa, Vermeer and lastly, Relco Locomotive in Albia, where he rebuilt trains.
Rick had a wonderful work ethic and would do anything for anybody. Family was also very important to Rick. He was a wonderful brother, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He absolutely loved his family and was very supportive of his children and grandchildren, where he attended every ballgame, school program or any activity they were in. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and collector cars. Rick was a member of the New Sharon First Christian Church and the New Sharon Jaycees.
His memory will be cherished by his wife of nearly 42 years, Debra Howard of New Sharon; two sons: Craig Howard of Oskaloosa and James (& Julie) Howard of Beacon; four grandchildren: Jacob (& Jess) Lewis, Makayla (& Amber) Lewis, Blake (& Fiance Shaye Mateer) Howard and Kirkland Howard; four great grandchildren with two on the way: Conner, Parker, Braxton and Jada; one sister, Barbara Lewis of New Sharon; one brother, Mike Howard of Brooklyn; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Rick was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Tyler Howard; a brother, Verne Howard; and a sister in infancy, Mildred Howard.
Funeral services will begin at 11:00 am Wednesday, May 18, 2016 at the New Sharon First Christian Church.
Burial will be held in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa.
Visitation will begin after 12:00 pm Tuesday, May 17, 2016 at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home with the family present from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the MHP Hospice Serenity House.
