James W. Howe

James Warren Howe aged 87, lifelong resident of Custer, died peacefully on Saturday, January 21, 2017. Jim was born on February 18, 1929 in Custer, the son of Howard and Cecelia (Cossette) Howe, and graduated from Custer High School with the class of 1947. Jim served his country during the Korean Conflict as a Staff Sergeant with the United States Air Force. On October 25, 1950 he married Helen Grace Pratt and they celebrated 52 years by each others side until Helen preceded him in death on November 15, 2002. Jim was also preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers Richard and Duane. Jim and Helen settled in the Custer community and began operating their dairy farm in 1955. Jim was very active within the community serving on the Mason County Eastern School Board for many years, was a Life Member of the Custer Gold Bar VFW Post 5096, volunteered with the Custer Fire Department and the West Michigan Old Engine Club, served on the West Shore Bank Board, and was a faithful member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church where he served as a Communicant, Reader, and member of Building & Grounds. Jim was also a charter member of the NFO Board, served on the local board for the Michigan Milk Producers Association, and enjoyed riding with the “Winter Nights Snowmobile Club.” Whenever there was a need in the community, Jim always showed up whether it was for the school, church, fire department, or helping out his neighbors and friends. He will be greatly missed by his children James Howe Jr. and wife Kristine of Custer, Deborah Albrecht and husband Raymond of Mt. Pleasant, Joseph Howe of Free Soil, Annette Howe and her friend Dean Samuels of Ludington, John Paul Howe and his wife Sheryl of Custer, his former daughter-in-law Debbie Howe of Custer, his grandchildren Dominic Howe (friend Tracy Peplinski), Amanda Howe, Jimmy Howe III, Christopher (Amy) Albrecht, Alan (Kara) Albrecht, Jeremy (Mary) Howe, MSGT Ryan (Renee “Red”) Howe, Brett Garten, Kendra Ann Garten, Jared Garten, Lydia Howe, Hillary Howe, and Zachary Howe, 11 great-granchildren, his sisters-in-law June Howe of Hart, and Mary Lou Miller of Ludington, and his brother-in-law Larry Pratt of Chicago. The Celebration of Mass will be held for Jim at 11:00 am on Wednesday, January 25 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Custer with Rev. Daniel DePew as celebrant. Burial will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Friends may meet with his family for a time of visitation on Tuesday from 2:00-4:00 and 7:00-9:00 pm, and on Wednesday morning from 10:00-11:00 am all at St. Mary’s Church. The Rosary will be prayed for Jim on Tuesday evening at 8:00 pm. Those who wish to remember Jim with a memorial donation are asked to consider St. Mary’s Catholic Church, or Custer Fire Department.

James W. Howe

February 18, 1929 - January 21, 2017