BOONE, Iowa—Donald Dean Howard, 89, of Boone, Iowa, passed away Sunday, October 6, 2024. He was born May 26, 1935, in Jefferson, Iowa, to Claude and Faye (Ellwanger) Howard. Don was the oldest of 10 children – 3 boys and 7 girls. He married Jo Ellen Hutchinson on November 3, 1955, at the Methodist Church in Ogden, Iowa. They had three children: Debbie, Cindy, and Craig.
Don and Jo came to faith in Jesus on September 2, 1966, while attending a special revival service at the First Baptist Church in Boone, Iowa. They were members of the Open Bible Church in Boone, Iowa, for many years and currently are members of the First Evangelical Free Church in Boone, Iowa. Don spent 46 years working as a heavy equipment operator, primarily as a backhoe operator. He was considered by many as the best operator in the Midwest.
He would always say he was more at home in the pulpit preaching and singing. Don took every opportunity to tell anyone who would listen about Jesus. Mission trips to Haiti, Venezuela, and the Philippines were highlights in his life, but he felt his largest mission was on the Iowa State campus during his lunch breaks “rapping” with the students. He led a Bible study group, The Lighthouse, in his home for 21 years, and also volunteered his time leading Bible studies and ministering at the various nursing homes in Boone, Iowa. After retirement, he became an interim pastor for multiple churches around Iowa. It was a role he cherished until his final pulpit message in December of 2018. He had no desire to be rich and famous, but to please God and hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant…enter into the joy of your Lord.” Matthew 25:23.
Don served as a member of the Iowa Army National Guard. He was the lead singer in the dance band “Moonglow”. He loved racing go-karts, fishing, Nascar, and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, brother Larry Howard, great-grandson Isaac Stecker, brothers-in-law Gary Woodard and Lee Clabaugh, and sister-in-law Judy Howard.
Survivors include his wife, Jo Ellen; 3 children: Debbie (Cory) Helphrey, Cindy (Tim) Duffy, Craig (Lorinda) Howard; 10 grandchildren: Chad (Holly) Stecker, BJ (Kelly) Stecker, Mark (Amanda) Stecker, Jessica (Sierra) Helphrey-Infante, Mike (Kim) Duffy, Megan (Jamie) Field, Reed (Megan) Howard, Rachel (Zach) Bradrick, Alex (Katie) Howard, Nate (Tessa) Howard;23 great-grandchildren; his eight remaining siblings: Ken Howard, Rita (Joe) Bertsch, Lois (Bob) Buckley, Dixie Knight, Linda Woodard, Marilyn Clabaugh, Sherri Amendola, Connie (John) Brown, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Even though Don’s life on Earth has passed, his life in Heaven has just begun!
“We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Boone First Evangelical Free Church, Beckwith Adult Day Center, or Suncrest Hospice in Ames, Iowa.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at Boone First Evangelical Free Church in Boone. Visitation with the family present to greet friends will be before the service from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the Church. Interment will be at Boone Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Boone.
The Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home, 609 7th Street, Boone, Iowa has assisted the family with these arrangements.
Donald Howard, 89, Boone, Iowa
