ROBERT E. HOWARD

Robert E. Howard, 83, of Columbia City, Ind. passed away at 4:23 p.m. Sunday, February 9, 2014 at Parkview Whitley Hospital, Columbia City.Born on January 24, 1931 in Grant County, he was the son of Thomas and Mabel (Holloway) Howard.

Bob resided in Swayzee and Lithonia, Ga. before moving to Columbia City in 1993. He graduated from Upland High School with the Class of 1949. On January 28, 1984, he married Sarah C. Cunningham. Bob was the founder and former owner of Howard Plumbing & Heating located in Swayzee. He also worked at R.S. Andrews in DeKalb Co., Ga. From 1983-1993 and had been employed at DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home in Columbia City for the past 20 years. Bob attended Columbia City United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Sarah C. Howard of Columbia City; daughter, Ann Howard Hittle of Carmel; son, David (Bev) Howard of Swayzee; step-children, Tim Cunningham of Columbia City and Brenda (John) Poe of Salisbury, N.C.; brothers, Herbert (Geri) and Richard (Peggie) Howard both of Upland; granddaughters, Lori (Jason) Cates and Vicki Howard; three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, W.D. Howard and Thomas Leon Chuck Howard; sisters, Della Mae Ertel, Anna Louise Skeeter Himelick andHelen Banter; and son-in-law, Dennis Hittle.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Thursday, February 13, 2014 from 9 to 11 a.m. at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. on Thursday. Certified Funeral Celebrant Sharon Brockhaus will be officiating. Burial will follow at Union Township Cemetery. Memorials may be given in Mr. Howard's memory to Whitley County Humane Society or Parkview Whitley Home Health and Hospice.