James L. Howell

A service to celebrate the life of James L. Howell, 69, of Bettendorf will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday evening at Cunnick-Collins Mortuary in Davenport. The family will greet friends from 4:00 p.m. until service time at the mortuary. Interment will be Friday at Rock Island Arsenal National Cemetery. Those wishing to attend services at the Cemetery should meet at the funeral home at 11:00 a.m. Jim passed away on Sunday, May 24, 2015 at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf. James Lee Howell was born on March 11, 1946 in Davenport, the son of Robert and Jean (Plumlee) Howell. Following his graduation from Central High School in 1964, he began serving in the United States Air Force achieving rank of Staff Sergeant. During his 8 year service, Jim was stationed in various locations including Alaska, South Carolina, and his home state of Iowa. On July 28, 1968, he married Edith J. Hildebrandt in Davenport. Jim received a B.A. in Business Management from Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, NH. He worked as a computer engineer at EMC Computer Co. in Westboro, MA. After retiring in 2006, he returned to the Quad Cities where he received his realtor license and began working for Ruhl and Ruhl Realtors. Jim became very active in his passion of animal rescue shelters and soon began devoting his time to Animal Aid Humane Society in Moline, IL. He was elected as Executive Director, and made several appearances on the KWQC Channel 6 Noon News and the Paula Sands Live Show in his effort to raise awareness and support for the Animal Aid Humane Society. He is survived by his Wife: Edith Howell of Bettendorf; three Sons: David Howell of McKinney, TX, Steven (Jennifer) Howell of Rochester, NH, Jeffrey Howell of Bettendorf; Siblings: Sue (Bob) Jennings of McCausland, IA, Larry (Pat) Howell of Davenport, John “J.R.” Howell of Moline, IL; and 3 Grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Gene “Eddie”. Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society or to Animal Aid Humane Society, 239 50th St., Moline, IL 61265.