John Howard Alley

He was born August 3, 1914, in Eminence, Mo., to the late Gilbert and Walter Virginia Alley. He is survived by Betty, his loving wife of 21 years, and his sister, Virginia Purcell of Springfield, Mo. His beloved wife of 54 years, Ruth Minnick Alley, preceded him in death in 1990.

He was a loving and supportive father to John Marlin Alley (Nancy) of Springfield, Mo. and Donna Alley Welsch of Cincinnati, Oh.; beloved grandfather to John Stephen Alley (Dawn), Jeffrey Marlin Alley (Amy); Karen Smuland Herzog (Dick), John Mark Smuland (Karen), and Andrea Smuland Uchtman. He was an extraordinary great-grandfather to Lauren, Grant, Ryan and Matthew Alley, Elizabeth and Caroline Herzog, Galen and Hannah Smuland, Zachary and Jonathan Uchtman.

Howard moved to Springfield as a child. He graduated from Springfield High School in 1932. He married Ruth Minnick in 1935 and was employed by The Assemblies of God Gospel Publishing House as a printer for many years. He was an active member of Central Assembly of God Church serving in many different lay positions. He was also active in the sports and music activities of his children in the various schools they attended. He took the kids and their friends to the local high school football and basketball games long before they could drive. Howard coached his son’s baseball team and spent hours in the family boat on the Lake of the Ozarks teaching his children and their friends to waterski. As the grandchildren came along he did the same for them.

Howard was a part of the WWII “greatest generation” serving his country in the United States Navy from 1944-1946. He was stationed at Coronado Island, Calif., training young Second Lieutenants to operate the landing craft boats that were used for beach landings in the Pacific Theater.

After returning from his military service, he was again employed at the Gospel Publishing House until 1958 when he moved to St. Louis to take a sales position with Western Litho Plate Company. During his years with Western he traveled the world providing product and support to the printing industry. He retired in 1982 and he and Ruth spent several years at their beloved Lake of the Ozarks where they had spent weekends and vacations with their children and grandchildren.

Retirement proved boring to the always active Howard so he joined Ruth in her antiques business and they traveled extensively doing antique shows around the country.

After Ruth died in 1990, Howard continued with the antiques business and in the process met Betty while shopping for antiques in Rogers, Ark. Their friendship blossomed into love and they married in 1992. As a result Howard opened his arms and heart to Betty’s grandsons, Jerry, Bob and Mike Bayles and their families. Howard and Betty are well known and have many friends at all the antique malls and auctions around the area.

Howard celebrated his 100th birthday in August 2014. His entire family came from around the country for the big celebration and he had the best time of all. His family was paramount to him. He loved them unconditionally and lived his whole life working hard and often making sacrifices to make sure he was doing the right thing where they were concerned. His family counts his gift of unconditional love as his greatest legacy. Every member of the family has felt it and will forever be blessed by it. His was a life well lived and he will be greatly missed.