

February 21, 1969 in Rochester, Michigan, crossed over on January 15, 2025, at home in
Goshen, Ohio, in the arms of his family, not alone even for a moment at the end of his earthly
journey. He was held until and beyond his very last breath. And with that last breath, he kissed
his wife in a moment that transcends any of our wildest dreams of the most beautiful love story,
sealed forever with a soft and final kiss.
Just as his family wrapped their arms around him on his final journey from this life, he now has
his arms wrapped around all who remain: his loving wife Jeanne, daughter Ariel (Matthew)
Murphy, son Christopher Vincent Howell, parents Dr. Lynn and Ann Howell, siblings Mark
(Cindy) Howell, J. Scott (Jill) Howell, Brian (Kathleen) Howell, Melissa (Kevin Knapp) Howell
and sister in law Claire Sanzone, Uncle Richard and Aunt Rebecca Spohn, cousins Todd Spohn
and Julia (Troy) Feichter. And in what is probably his proudest role yet, he is the forever
guardian angel of his sweet granddaughters, Carsyn and Payton Murphy.
Chris’s zest for life and fun-loving spirit touched everyone he met in his 55 years. His early
years of life on Winkler Mill pond in Rochester, where he was welcomed loudly into the folds of
three big brothers and a big sister who would teach him how to climb trees, fish the good spots
in the pond, and successfully traverse the terrain down by the dams, instilled in him a passion
for the great outdoors, a devotion that would stay with him all of his life. Chris’s love for hunting
and fishing was only matched by his enthusiasm for Detroit Red Wings hockey, Michigan
Wolverines football and his unwavering love for all things Michigan. Although he was an Ohioan
for more years than he lived in Michigan, he would never hesitate to remind you that he grew up
in Michigan.
He boasted with shameless pride to anyone who would listen, for his daughter, Ariel, and his
son, Christopher, sharing stories of Ariel's soccer games and career in human resources and
Christopher's studies to be an Aerospace Engineer as well as his robotics and marching band
competitions. He loves them both, endlessly, and that love transcends this earthly realm.
Chris is also so loved in this life by his nieces and nephews who adored him and were the
luckiest to be loved by him. So much fun was had with him over the years by Emily Howell
Podsiad, Bradley Howell, Hillary Howell Kalamaha, Erin Howell Ibanez, Kelleigh Howell, Corbin
Knapp, Skyler Knapp, Rainah Howell, Maria and Anthony Coey, Katelin Sanzone, Emily
Sanzone and Joseph Sanzone. He is forever wrapping his love around his grand-nieces and
nephews, Clare, Phineas, Hunter, Sawyer, Charlotte, Dorian, Wells, Brooks, Oliveen, Katarina
and Rayna as well as extended family and friends including dog Max, cat Winkler and the "girls"
in the barn.
He now joins his beloved brother in law, Paul Sanzone, in Heaven. He was also most surely
welcomed by the Howell family's very best friend, their dog Harley.
Chris will be missed forever, by those he said goodbye to in this life. We will all look forward to
the day we make our grand journeys from life to see his beautiful blue eyes once again.
Memorial Donations can be made to the Brain Donor Project as they work tirelessly to end the
disease that is brain cancer.
The Brain Donor Project
Memorial Donations
P.O. Box 111002
Naples, FL 34108-1969
*Please include whose memory the gift/donation is being made in*
DONACIONES
The Brain Donor Project P.O. Box 111002, (Please include Chris's name), Naples (Florida), Florida 34108-1969
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIOCOMPARTA
v.1.18.0