Joseph Howell
January 4, 1927 — February 16, 2019
Joseph R. Howell, 92, of Boonsboro, Maryland, passed away on February 16, 2019 at Fahrney-Keedy Memorial Home. He met the love of his life while working at Fairchild and was the husband of 69 years to Ruth (Shanholtzer) Howell.
Born on January 4, 1927 in Downsville, Maryland, he was the son of the late Lee Roy and Emma (Mercer) Howell. Joseph served in the United States Army in the Philippines during WWII, honorably separating from the service as a T/5. He went on to work for 42 years with the B & O railroad as a Conductor and a Yardmaster. In his spare time, he was an avid bird watcher, he loved all animals and took every opportunity to feed them.
Joseph was a member of the Antietam Lodge #197 AF & AM, Tall Cedars of Lebanon Forest #95, Scottish Rites, American Legion Clopper-Michael Post 10, National Rifle Association, the B & O Veterans organization and the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 82.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Joseph R. Howell Jr. and wife Judy, Stephen L. Howell, and Nancy E. VanReenen and husband Robert; granddaughters, Sarah M. Howell, Melanie E. Grantham and Randi D. Miller and husband Carl; and a great-granddaughter Decker R. Miller. He is also survived by five sisters and one brother, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother and one sister.
The family will receive friends from 10am to 12pm on Friday, February 22, 2019 at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 64 S. Main Street, Boonsboro, Maryland 21713. A celebration of his life will begin at 12 noon. Pastor Robert Lewis will celebrate. Inurnment will follow in Boonsboro Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church at the above address or to the Washington County Humane Society, 13011 Maugansville Road, Hagerstown, MD 21740.