Fredrick Leroy Howe, 80, of rural Niota, Illinois, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 19, 2020 at the UnityPoint - Memorial Hospital in Carthage, Illinois. He was born in La Harpe, Illinois at Mary Davier Hospital on July 6, 1940 to Fred Franklin and Dorothy Lucille (Johnson) Howe. He attended Gilead Grade School northeast of La Harpe and Blandinsville High School, and graduated in 1958 from Terre Haute High School.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Patricia Jane (Hall) Howe, three daughters: Catherine Ann (Smith) & Darren of Dallas City, Illinois, Trisha Suzanne (Hopper) & Shawn of Fort Madison, Iowa, and Amanda Lucille (Greenhalge) & Christopher of Dallas City; 10 grandchildren and one great grandchild due to arrive in May; one sister, Shirley Poulter of Beverly, Illinois, one brother and faithful friend, Richard Howe (Ruby Longley) of Dallas City, numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and family friends from surrounding communities. He is predeceased by 2 sisters, Betty Brewer and Barbara Walters Logan.
Fred served with the United States Navy from 1961 – 1965 as an Electronics Technician, having made three Mediterranean cruises with the 6th fleet aboard an aircraft carrier. He worked for AT&T/Bell System, was self employed in a TV business, and retired from Computer Aided Design (CAD) Engineering.
He loved The Lord, All his family & many friends, nature, and deer & turkey hunting. He possessed great skill with Electronics, Television, Computers, Auto Mechanics, Carpentry, and Plumbing. He shared his love for Bluegrass Gospel Music and his 5 string Bluegrass Banjo and Harmonicas with many friends.
He served the Lord most recently in the River of Life Fellowship in Dallas City, Illinois, and was a Pontoosuc Township Trustee. He was a member of the LaHarpe Masonic Lodge and the Dallas City American Legion.
A private family celebration of Fred's life will be held on Saturday, January 2, 2021 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Dallas City with Pastor Doug Clark officiating. Immediately following, at 11:15a.m., all family and friends are welcome to attend a graveside service, with military rites, at Myers Cemetery, near Niota. No visitation is planned. A memorial fund has been established for the River of Life Fellowship. To leave a condolence and sign the guestbook, please visit Fred's obituary at banksandbeals.com.