Wanda Howell

Wanda C. Howell, 74, a resident of rural Columbia City and wife of Earl R. Howell, passed away at 10:43 a. m. on Saturday, April 4, 2015 at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne where she had been a patient for the past two weeks. Mrs. Howell was born on July 15, 1940 in Fort Wayne, a daughter of Hubert and Nedra R. (Glander) McEowen. She spent her early years in Fort Wayne and as a high school freshman moved to Smith Township in Whitley County with her parents. She graduated from Churubusco High School in 1958 and also attended Olivet Nazarene University. On September 26, 1959 she was married in Fort Wayne to Earl R. Howell, and spent most of her adult life in Smith Township She was the owner and operator of the Howell House in Churubusco for 30 years, retiring in 2006. A member of the First Church of God in Columbia City, she served in the nursery there, was known as an expert quilter, and had also authored children's books. The surviving relatives include her husband Earl, to whom she was married for over 55 years; her children Cathy (Bill) Jones of Woodstock, Ill, Debby (Rusty) Kreider of Danville, Ky., and Tim (Debby) Howell and Mindy (Gary) Hoffman, both of Columbia City; three brothers David W. (Vonda) McEowen and Dr. Edwin L. (Mary Jo) McEowen, both of Columbia City, and Roger A. (Jean) McEowen of Ankeny, Iowa; two sisters Juanita (Jerry) Miller of Hoagland and Marcia (Mark) Hollopeter of Mason, Mich; and eight grandchildren. Her parents preceded her in death. Funeral services will be held at 11 a. m. Thursday, April 9, 2015, at the First Church of God in Columbia City with Pastor Johnny McCallister, officiating. The family will receive friends at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco on Wednesday from 2 to 8 p. m., or at the church one hour prior to the service Thursday morning. Interment will be in the Eel River Cemetery, south of Churubusco. For those who wish, memorials may be directed to Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana. ******************************************************* To leave an online condolence for the family in Mrs. Howell's memory, "Click on condolences below...