Laura "Jan" Howard, age 87, of Hanna City, Illinois passed away on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. She was born on July 30, 1935, in Peoria to Maurice and Mary (DeFord) Braden. She married Robert Howard on April 13, 1954. He survives.
Jan is also survived by her children, Denny (Debbie) Howard, Diane (Barry) Adkins, and Betsy (Bill) Irving; grandchildren, Shannon Adkins-Wall, Amanda (Jason) Strandberg, Erin (Andrew) Balek, Jonathan (Chelsey) Irving, Bradley Irving, Josh (Alica) Howard, Rebecca Howard, and Tim (Kelsey) Howard; twelve great- grandchildren; four great- great grandchildren; sister, Kate Badgerow; and two sisters-in-law, Carol Howard and Sally Yocum.
She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Rosemary Rushford and Judy Morris.
Jan’s life was defined by her sincere love for others. There was always room for ONE MORE person at the dinner table. She would say, “if when alone, sit quietly, and you can hear the laughter in the walls!”
Jan helped us deepen in our understanding of others who could be difficult: “There is always a story you don’t know. But when you know their story, you will understand them.”
A private graveside service will be held at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Hanna City. A public celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to Child Evangelism Fellowship, or to Hanna City Presbyterian Church.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Davison-Fulton-BartonvilleChapel.com for the Howard family.
