Harold T. Howie, 90, of Chester, Illinois, passed away at 6:45 a.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at Memorial Hospital in Chester.
He was born to the late Ed L. and Elise M. (nee Bendorf) on April 21, 1930 in Ellis Grove, Illinois.
He married Mary A. Rodewald on Aug. 25, 1950 at Peace Lutheran Church in Chester; she preceded him in death on Sept. 23, 2018.
Harold fought in the Korean War as a United States Marine.
He served on the Chester police force for 42 years in several capacities, including chief of police, from 1976 to 1982. In his early years he worked in Sauget, Illinois at the Eastman Chemical Rubber Plant and then at Coles Milling Company in Chester.
Later, Harold carried mail for the U.S. Postal Service and finally retired as an engineer from the Chester Mental Health Center. He also worked part-time as a school bus and charter bus driver for many years for Harold Coleman's Bus Service.
He was a lifetime member of V.F.W. Post #3553 and was Post Commander in 1976. He was also a lifetime member of the Randolph County Police Association and a 30-year member of the Chester Masonic Lodge #72 A.F. & A.M. He was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Chester.
He loved the outdoors and camping. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was the family mechanic, electrician, and handyman who could install or repair just about anything.
Harold was survived by five children, Harold (Terry) Howie of Valparaiso, Indiana, Robert (Sharon) Howie of Chester, Joyce (Mike) Hayer of Sparta, Jayne (Don) Berry of Chester and Nancy (Jeff) Crossland of Chester; one sister, Virginia Long of Chester; seven grandchildren, Leslie (Tim) Ebers, Matthew Howie, Joshua (Christa) Howie, Chris Hayer, Bree (Anthony) Barnett, Marcus Hayer, and Brett (David) Galloway; 10 great-grandchildren, Jeren Ebers, Camrynn Howie, Braxton Conder, Ayla Ebers, Jonathon Hayer, Landen Conder, Brooke Howie, Laurey Hayer, Cedric Ebers, Mason Howie, Rielle Barnett and Cavoa Ebers; a sister-in-law, Barbara Rodewald of Chester and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; in-laws, Ernest and Jesse Rodewald; sister-in-law Peggy Johnson; and three brothers-in-law, John Rodewald, Glenn Long and Virgil "Wimpy" Johnson.
A private graveside service will be held at St. Andrews Catholic Cemetery in Murphysboro. A Celebration of Life with military honors will be held at a later date.
Memorials contributions can be made in Harold's memory to the Chester Senior Center or St. Mary's Catholic School. Memorials are being accepted at the Pechacek Funeral Homes in Chester.
To view this obituary and sign the register book visit www.wpfh.net.
