John C. Howard, Sr.
John C. Howard, Sr., age 98 of Orrville, died Friday, March 29, 2019, at Aultman Hospital in Canton, following a short period of declining health.
John was born Feb. 7, 1921, in Autaugaville, Alabama to the late Adell Howard and Miles Bowman, Sr. He served in the United States Army during World War II. He married Mary E. Hudson on Feb. 5, 1949, in Orrville. Mary died on Jan. 20, 2008.
John was a molder and worked on the endliner for The Quality Castings Company in Orrville for over 40 years, retiring on Dec. 31, 1986.
John, also known as "Johnny Dough Boy," enjoyed walking, visiting at the nursing home, volunteering at the Salvation Army, giving rides to senior citizens, traveling and gardening. Most of all he loved to spend quality time with his family.
Surviving are six children, Mary Kathyrn (Dudley) Pratt of Cleveland, Rosetta Nash of Orrville, Eula V. (Roman) Collier of Los Angeles, California, Dinah M. McMillon of Columbus, Eugene D. (Ruth) Howard of Orrville and Orlando D. (Vanessa Martin) Howard of Columbus; son-in-law, James L. Bradley of Orrville; 19 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; loving cousin, Annie L. Holley of Cleveland; two brothers-in-law, Robert L. Jones of St. Clair Shores, Michigan and Donald E. Hudson of Sherwood, Illinois; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
In addition to his wife and parents, John was preceded in death by daughter, Delphine Bradley; son, John C. Howard, Jr.; brother, Miles Bowman, Jr.; and sisters, Edith Faulkner and Beulah Jones.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 6 at True Church House of Prayer, 737 Buckeye St., Orrville, with Apostle Dr. Lottie M. Smith delivering the eulogy. Burial will take place at Crown Hill Cemetery in Orrville, where military rites will be observed.
Friends may call on Saturday at True Church from noon to 1 p.m. prior to the service.
Auble Funeral Home in Orrville is handling the arrangements. Online registry and expressions of condolence may be made at the funeral home's website at www.aublefuneralhome.com.
Memorials may be made to The Kidney Foundation of Ohio Inc., 2831 Prospect Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115.