Richard “Dick” Howell, aged 68 of Grand Rapids, died suddenly Wednesday, April 24, 2019. He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard “Deac” and Mary Lou Howell and sister, Annie Howell, parents-in-law, Fredrick L. and Betty Brye and his dog pal, Buddy. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Sue Howell; brothers and sisters, Mary Elizabeth Howell, Mike Howell, Maureen (Dr. David) Krhovsky, Sharon Howell, Jim (Tracy) Howell;aunts and uncle, Shirley (Bob) Hickey and Suzy Howell; sisters-and brothers-in-law, Mike (Shelley) Brye, Patricia (Steve) Barnett, Rick (Sheree) Brye, Judy Brye Swiftney, Jim Brye (Barb Carlson); many beloved nieces, nephews, grand nieces & nephews, cousins and friends. Dick was a member of the Third Order of Franciscans, a graduate of Catholic Central Class of ‘69 and Aquinas College. Visitation will be Friday, April 26 from 5:00-7:00 PM at the O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Chapel, 3980 Cascade Rd. SE with a Rosary at 7:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Saturday, April 27 at 11:00 AM at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 1935 Plymouth Ave. SE, Rev. Troy Nevins and Rev. Theodore Kozlowski, presiding. Interment Woodlawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or the Kilgoar Foundation for IHM School, 1935 Plymouth Ave. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506-4494.
7 Responses
Hugs and prayers for your family during this time!
Audrey, Cutter, Logan and Alexandra Phillips
I have many good memories of Dick. He sold us supplies at Prince of Peace. We would always talk about our golden retrievers and how much we loved them. He was a very kind and caring man. I will keep you in my prayers.
ME!
I’m so sorry to see you’ve lost yet another family member. I’m also sorry that I ran off the radar after seeing LDH and his dealings with the dog.
I hope you understand. Life has not been easy for the past several years, but I’m still hanging in. Call me? It would be good to see you and talk.
Bestest regards, Lynn Hekker
So very sorry to hear of Dick’s passing. I would see Dick periodically over the years. He always had a smile and conversation that you knew was heartfelt. Truly a wonderful person. I will miss him..
Rest in peace Dick. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
I did not know Dick very well but he came in to the Rosary Book and Gift shop where I work. He was always very friendly and liked talking about times at Aquinas since we both went there. This is a great loss and I will keep Dick and his family in my prayers.
Dear Sue & the entire Howell Family,
I just heard the news today from Peggy (Kain) Paganelli. Dick & my husband Tom Kain were cousins, classmates and best buddies as kids and adults. The last time I saw Dickie (Joe Kain’s funeral) he was exactly the same… always ready with that HOWELL grin, big hug and fast gift of gab. It’s ironic really, today would have been Tom’s 68 th bday. He died almost 15 years ago… we were married for 30 years… and Dickie and I laughed (laugh or cry) about the irony of Tom going before him. Now they’re together again… surely (like the old days) exploring their new realm together. Oh my… Death is the other side of the coin… transformation ( so special to read Dick was 3rd Order Franciscan) and new beginnings in Eternity… yet still, so hard for the ones left behind. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you… Peg also told me about Muffie passing last year (I had not heard that either- CA gets delayed reports). I always loved the Howells… such great memories always- when I first came into the Family & each time our paths crossed. Much love. I will enter both Dick and Muffie into the ND Perpetual Membership… Deak too (he walked Tom’s MOM Mary Kay down the aisle at our wedding 35 years ago after Tom’s Dad had recently passed). We married at ND (Deak’s alma mater & ours. SOAR DICKIE SOAR! Love & Prayers, Betsy Mohan Kain and all the CA Kains
Correction from above message -45 years ago – 5/4/74 … How is that possible?!