Russell V. Howard

Memorial Graveside Services for Russell V. Howard will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at the Union Cemetery, east of Beaver City in Furnas County, Nebraska with Pastors Dwain Fowler and Jane Blum, officiating.

Russell Verne Howard, 80 years of age, of Beaver City, Nebraska (formerly of New Bloomfield, Missouri) passed away on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at the Beaver City Manor. Russell was born at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the son of Verne and Pearl (Snider) Howard. He received his education at Milwaukee. Russell then served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War in 1949. Following his honorable discharge, Russell enrolled in the Spartan School of Aeronautics at Tulsa, Oklahoma. During his career as a pilot, Russell experienced and thoroughly enjoyed all facets of aviation including: A&E mechanic, crop dusting, pipeline patrol for Gleason Romans in Houston, worked as a charter pilot and salesman for Piper aircraft at St. Louis Flying Service, Lambert Field, was a single/multi-engine instructor, and corporate pilot for MFA Oil Company in Columbia, Missouri.

On April 24, 1972 he was united in marriage to Marion J. Sturtevant and the couple made their home in New Bloomfield, Missouri and following retirement enjoyed wintering in Florida and Texas. Besides his passion for aviation, Russell enjoyed fishing, reading and spending time with his family.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Marion of Beaver City; five children: Cindy Edmunds and her husband, Don of Weyauwega, WI, Dianna Schelich and her husband, Paul of Holts Summit, MO, Verne Howard and his wife, Julie of Lees Summit, MO, Tracy McCarthy and her husband, Robert of Brentwood, TN and Shelly Marshall of Jefferson City, MO; eleven grandchildren: Donny Edmunds, Aubrey Pauley, Holly Storm, Rusty Howard, Jonathan Howard, Amber Jones, Christopher Schelich, Taylor McCarthy, Evan McCarthy, Keith Berry and Daniel Berry; four great-grandchildren; mother-in-law, Truth Sturtevant of Beaver City and two brothers-in-law: Walter Sturtevant of Beaver City and Stephen Sturtevant and his wife, Linda of Mitchell, South Dakota. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandson, Ryan McCarthy.

There will be no visitation, the family is honoring Russell's wish for cremation.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com or P.O. Box 353, Beaver City, NE 68926.

*The family request those who are attending the graveside service for Russell, please bring your lawn chair.

The Mitchell-Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Oxford, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements.