Jack N. Howrey's Obituary
CHARLESTON, IL - Jack Nelson Howrey of Charleston and formerly of Hindsboro, IL, passed away on Sunday, May 25, 2014 at the age of 86. He died peacefully in his sleep at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center with his wife Ruth, holding his hand. Visitation for family and friends will be held today (Tuesday) May 27, 2014 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston. Funeral Services honoring and celebrating his life will be held at the funeral chapel at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 28, 2014 with Reverend Rodger Allen officiating. Burial, with Military Rites conducted by the Honor Guard of the Charleston VFW Paul McVey Post 1592, will follow at Roselawn Cemetery in Charleston. At the donor's discretion, in lieu of flowers, a thoughtful donation in his honor may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. Gifts may be made by calling 800-272-3900, may be left on the memorial table at the visitation or service, or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920. Jack was born in Detroit, Michigan on September 6, 1927. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde Jack Howrey in 1963 and Martha Tyrrhene (Moss) Howrey in 2011. He is survived by his loving wife, Ruth Etta (Combs) Howrey; their four sons and six grandchildren, Dave (Kim) Howrey of Charleston and their son Brandon; Dan (Janice) Howrey of Dallas, TX and their daughter Alex; Robert (Jani) Howrey of Paris, IL and their daughter Alicia; and Roger (Shannon) Howrey of Roswell, GA and their sons, Nick, Nate and Andrew. Jack is also survived by his six siblings and their families, who in order of birth are Virginia (the late Jim) Wiseman of Murfreesboro, TN; Josephine (the late Charles) Gerrie of Greensboro, NC; Jim Howrey of Oakland, IL; Don (Debra) Howrey of Harviell, MO; Gary Howrey of Urbana and Mick Howrey of St. Louis. Jack graduated from Hindsboro High School in 1945. Shortly following graduation, he was drafted into the army and served at Fort Sheridan and Camp Grant in Illinois, and Fort Knox in Kentucky - where he was promoted to Corporal. Jack was sent by ship to Tokyo, Japan and served with the army of occupation until January of 1947 when he returned to the states. Jack was honorably discharged from the army on January 26, 1947. On March 18, 1950, Jack and Ruth were married in Springfield, TN arriving in Jack's recently purchased 1939 Ford. After marriage, the couple resided in Hindsboro where Jack served on the Village Board of Trustees from 1965 until 1975 and was also a member of the Volunteer Fire Department. In 1991 they sold their Hindsboro home and moved to a new home in Charleston. While living in Hindsboro, Jack began work at Eversole Farm Equipment, a position he held for the next 15 years. In 1963, he and Ruth purchased and ran the Motley Grocery Store, renaming it "Howrey's Grocery" . After five years he and Ruth sold the store and Jack went to work for USI in Tuscola for two years before landing a job in the Life Sciences Department at Eastern Illinois University. He remained at E.I.U. for 23 years until his retirement in 1992. After retirement, Jack and Ruth traveled to many locations including Hawaii, Europe, Alaska, the Grand Canyon, the Bahamas and Mexico, as well as traveling to see their sons and grandchildren throughout the U.S. First and foremost, Jack was a family man. He loved his wife and boys! He attended every sporting event in which the boys played, and spent countless hours with them throwing balls and playing games. Jack (and Ruth) also made sure the family sat down at the dinner table together every night to share in a wonderful meal prepared by Ruth. Since 1952, Jack and Ruth have been members of the Hindsboro Christian Church and attended regularly with their boys. Jack was a faithful husband and considered it to be extremely important to live a life of integrity and honesty which he imparted to his family. His life served as an inspiration to many and he will be greatly missed.
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