Wendell J. Howard

HOWARD, Wendell J.
of Portage, Michigan On Thursday, July 26, 2012, Wendell was welcomed into the arms of his Lord and Savior. He was born June 20, 1922 in Kalamazoo, the son of LeRoy and Hazel Harvey Howard. He was the oldest of four sons; Wendell, Sheril, Roy and Lyle. Wendell served his country in WW II and was the recipient of two Bronze Stars. On November 9, 1946, he married Shirley Squires, the love of his life for 65 years. They lived in the same house for all those years, as he personally expanded the home, as the family grew. As the story goes, when they first saw the shell of the house, Wendell said, "I'll have that fixed for you in six months". The final structure was completed after 18 years. Larry arrived on January 4, 1948, shortly after the indoor plumbing. Many more comforts were added before daughter, Gail, arrived on September 2, 1950. With two children, there needed to be more rooms, so Wendell built on a wing with 3 bedrooms and a full bath. On the other side of the house, he added an eating area, half-bath, breezeway and a large garage. Lest we forget, Wendell's woodworking shop in the basement. Many hours were spent by Wendell as he lovingly and meticulously made beautiful items out of wood. Two prize items are a solid cherry Grandmother clock and an oak roll top desk. Wendell worked for Allied Paper for 37 years in construction and trucking. The family expanded with the addition of Larry and Pam's daughters, Marie and Andrea Josh Dornbos and their children, Aylah, Macy and the baby due on December 30, 2012. Gail and Dale grew to a family of 5; three children are Jeremy, Kirsten and Kendall. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 11:00 AM in the Lake Center Bible Church, 805 E. Osterhout Rd., with Pastor Billy Creech, officiating. Interment will follow in Ft. Custer National Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 E. Centre Ave., on Monday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM and at the church on Tuesday, beginning at 10:00 AM until service time. Memorials may be given to Lake Center Bible Church or the charity of one's choice.