Obituary of Jeanne Howard

Jeanne L. Howard May 3, 1923 - November 30, 2009 Jeanne Howard, beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away peacefully in her sleep at the home of her daughter on November 30. She was born Jeanne Lighthall, the daughter of Blanche and Louis Lighthall, in Clinton, IL on May 3, 1923 where she resided until attending Illinois State University in Normal, in the early 1940's. There she met the love of her life, Bill Howard. While Bill served as a pilot in the Army Air Corps during WW II, Jeanne was part of the war effort, assisting in what she later learned was work on the atomic bomb at Millikin University in Decatur. They married in Clinton on July 24, 1945 shortly after his release from a German prison camp. They loved one another and enjoyed life together until Bill's death in 2005. Jeanne graduated with honors from Arizona State University. She was a kindergarten teacher for many years and loved the children she taught and the friends she made at A.O. Marshall School in Joliet. After retirement, she and Bill enjoyed their many friends in Joliet, winters watching the Cubs in spring training and being with friends in Arizona, traveling to Europe and most of all, spending time with their family. Jeanne is survived by her daughters, Mary (Bill) Fetzner of Crystal Lake and Jeannie (Rhondal McKinney) Howard of Bloomington; grandsons, Rob (Jessica) Fetzner, Benjamin, William and Charles Howard-McKinney; and granddaughter, Katie (Casey) Coss; brother, Robert Lighthall; and nieces, Diane (Jack) Riddle, Bill (Kathy) Lighthall and Roberta (John) Baum. She is also survived by her dear great-grandchildren, Drew and Caroline Fetzner, and Ashley, Chloe and Hannah Coss, who delighted her constantly. Jeanne was a woman of style and grace. She was an ardent Republican despite the concerted efforts of her Democratic husband and daughters. She had a generous heart, keen interests and a feisty spirit that she kept to the end. Funeral Services for Jeanne L. Howard will be Friday, December 4, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home chapel. Interment Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the William and Jeanne Howard Scholarship Fund in the Department of History at Illinois State University or to the American Cancer Society. Visitation FRIDAY 10:00 a.m. until time of services at 11:00 a.m. at: FRED C. DAMES FUNERAL HOME 3200 Black at Essington Rds., Joliet For information: 815-741-5500