Richard J. Howard
FORESTVILLE – Richard J. Howard, 88, an owner operator for Howard Lime Service, was reunited with his beloved wife Mar-tha in Heaven, Wednesday, October 1, 2014 at Lake Shore Hospital in Irving, NY.
He was born March 5, 1926 in Villenova, NY the son of the late Orville and Mildred (Danker) Howard.
Rich was known as a jack of all trades, some of which were milk hauler, carpenter, expert diesel mechanic, beef and dairy farmer and superintendent of highways for the town of Villenova. He worked for Hills & Matteson Lime Service until he purchased it in 1966 and named it Howard Lime Service. He was a member of the Forestville Wesleyan Church, past member of South Dayton Fire Department, member of South Dayton VFW and senior golf leagues in both Florida and New York. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a paratrooper with the 11th Airborne Division.
Richard married his grade school sweetheart, the former Martha Matteson September 30, 1946. They were married nearly 66 years at the time of her death and he loved her until he died, the day after their 68th anniversary. Rich will be remembered for his love of family, sense of humor and work ethic
He is survived by his children, David R. (Nancy) Howard of South Dayton, NY, Sandra L. (Steve) Rountree of St. Petersburg, FL, Judith L. (Jim) Rose of Forestville, NY, grandchildren, Shawna (Gene) Wickmark of South Day-ton, NY, Crystal (Jeff) Rose-Williams of South Dayton, NY, Shawn (Heidi) Howard of Cherry Creek, NY, Christopher (Jessica) Howard of South Dayton, NY, step grandchildren, Brandy, Tiffany, Misty, Ryan (Amy) Rountree of St. Petersburg, FL, sisters-in-law Virginia Gier and Inez Howard, great grandchildren, Christian, Jackson, Sierra, Christin, Zachary, Sadie, Craig, Jaiden, Alana, Cameron, and as yet unborn AvaLee.
Besides his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by his brother Donald N. Howard.
Visitation will be held at Hills Funeral Chapel, 478 Route 83, South Dayton, NY, on Sunday from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.
Funeral services will be held Monday, October 6, 2014 at 11 a.m. in the Forestville Wesleyan Church, Prospect Road Forestville, NY, with the Rev. Bruce Ellis officiating. Burial will be in the Villenova Cemetery in South Dayton.
The family suggests memorials be made to South Dayton Fire Department, P.O. Box 88, South Dayton, NY 14138 or the Forestville Wesleyan Church, 9603 Prospect Road, Forestville, NY 14062.