Robert Dale Howard, 87

Robert Dale Howard, 87, of Cole Camp, was called to his eternal home on Tuesday, October 7, 2014, at Bothwell Regional Health Center, Sedalia.  He was born on January 6, 1927, at Windsor, Missouri, the youngest son of Charles Overton and Ethel (Miller) Howard.

He attended Santiago grade school.  He served his country honorably in the United States Army during World War II and was a lifetime member of the VFW Post in Kansas City.  In 1948, he moved to Independence.  On April 20, 1952, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cole Camp by Rev. Henry Gerike, he was united in marriage to Juanita Katherine Bockelman, who survives of the home.  On May 4, 1952, he was baptized and confirmed at Messiah Lutheran Church in Independence.

In 1998, they moved from Independence to Cole Camp, where he was a member and usher at Trinity Lutheran Church.  He was a farmer and had driven a truck for several different companies, including Phoenix Manufacturing of Cole Camp. He was a member of the Cole Camp Steam and Antique Tractor Association.  Robert enjoyed hunting, restoring things, working on cars, reading westerns, playing cards and watching the KC Royals.

Besides his wife, he is survived by:
one daughter, Kimberly Osborne and Scott of Lee's Summit;
two sons, Dale Howard and Cathy of Lee's Summit and Jon Howard and Linda of Blue Springs;
one sister-in-law, Opal Howard of Windsor;
four grandchildren, Stephanie Holem, Rachel Westbrooks, Megan Howard, and Alyx Howard;
four step-grandchildren, Brody Osborne, Sydney Osborne, Katie Grossman, and Linda Hayes; and
three step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Ethel Howard, two sisters, Frances Busby and Nadine Howard, one brother, Forrest Howard and a nephew, Joe Howard.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 10, 2014, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Cole Camp, with Pastor Jeffrey Kuddes officiating.  Burial will be in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Cole Camp, with military honors by the American Legion Post No. 305.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until service time on Friday at the church.

The family suggests memorial contributions be given to Trinity Lutheran Endowment Fund or Cole Camp Steam and Antique Tractor Association Building Fund in care of the Fox Funeral Home, Cole Camp.

Pallbearers will be Charley Bob Howard, Forrest L. Howard, Jerry Noel, H. O. Noel, David Oelrichs, Larry Johns, Greg Katzing, and Larry Mahnken.