COLUMBIA CITY – Daniel James Howard, 69, of Columbia City, passed away at 4 a.m. Nov. 13, 2012, in his residence. He was born June 25, 1943, in Warsaw, to James Boyce and Helen Lucille Fisher Howard. On Sept. 5, 1965, in Kossuth, Miss., he married Ouida Sue Crum, who survives. He graduated from Warsaw High School in 1961. After graduation, he honorably served in the U.S. Navy during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He earned an associate’s degree from Indiana College of Mortuary Science, Indianapolis. In 1970, he was a cable splicer for United Telephone, Warsaw; formerly worked at Ripley Funeral Home, Ripley, Miss.; and McHatton-Sadler Funeral Home, Warsaw; worked in the pressroom and bindery for Light & Life Press, Winona Lake; worked as an emergency medical technician for Warsaw Multi-Township; and worked as a packager at Zimmer, Warsaw, from July 1988 until his retirement in 2006. For the past 18 years, he and his wife lived in Columbia City, and was a former resident of Winona Lake and Ripley. He was a member of the Arcola Lion’s Club, New Hope Wesleyan Church and the Churubusco American Legion. He was an American Softball Association umpire and coached city and church softball teams in Kosciusko County. He was an Eagle Scout. He served as a Winona Lake volunteer firefighter, was an usher at the University of Notre Dame football games and was a volunteer at Parkview Hospital, Randallia Drive, Fort Wayne. Also surviving are his children: Michelle R. (and spouse Joel) Roberson, Bloomington; Brooke L. (and spouse Rob) Bennet, Warsaw; and Lincoln D. (and spouse Marisa) Howard, Avon; eight grandchildren; a great-grandchild; a sister, Janet Chiddister, Warsaw; and a nephew. He is preceded in death by his parents. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at New Hope Wesleyan Church, 971 N. CR 400W, Columbia City, with Pastors Jason Tash and Barry Faucett officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw, with graveside military honors by members of Whitley Country Korean War Veterans Honor Guard. Calling is from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City, with a Lion’s Memorial Service at 7:30 p.m. Calling is also one hour prior to the service Saturday at the church. ***** Memorials may be given to New Hope Wesleyan Church or the Arcola Lion's Club. Condolences may be sent via www.demoneygrimes.com
