Leonard Howard
Springfield, IL |
Leonard LeRoy Howard, 85, of Springfield, IL died July 21, 2017.
He was born on November 8, 1931 in Whitesville, KY to the late Patrick and Xaveria (nee Coomes) Howard.
Leonard married Wilma (nee Diehl) Howard in 1985 in Springfield. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children Jania (Robert) Frey of Columbia, Norman (Laura) Howard of Columbia, Andrea (Tom) Casey of St Louis, Renee (David) Ivens of Columbia; stepchildren, Kahla (Ron) Wiggins of Rochester, Melvin (Patsi) Diehl of Cherry Hill, NJ, Karen (Steve) Nichols of Sunland, CA, Kathy Diehl of Springfield; brothers Douglas, Carroll and Millard; 10 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by siblings Imogene Thompson, Wallace Howard, and Delores Lanham.
After high school, Len enlisted into the US Navy as an Air-Sea Rescue Helicopter crewman. Following Navy service, he graduated Cum Laude with a BS in aeronautical engineering from Parks College of St Louis University and attained his MBA from Webster College, St Louis.
Len enjoyed his 30-year career as an aeronautical engineer for the US Army where he was instrumental in the development of the Chinook CH-47 helicopter and other tilt rotor aircraft. Len traveled throughout the world and loved it all.
He was a member of the American Helicopter Society, Army Aviation Association of America, Knights of Columbus, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and Elks. Mr. Howard was a member of the Church of St Jude in Rochester.
Visitation will be Sunday July 30 from 2-6pm at the Wilson Park Funeral Home in Rochester. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday July 31 at 10:30am at Church of St Jude in Rochester.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Church of St Jude or the charity of one’s choice.
Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville is in charge of arrangements
Crawford Funeral Home
