Jeffrey Michael Howell Sr.

November 10, 1972 – July 15, 2025

With heavy hearts, we share that Jeffrey Michael Howell Sr. passed away on July 15, 2025, at the age of 52. Jeff was a devoted son, a loving husband, a proud father, and a loyal friend to so many. He had a heart full of love, a spirit full of generosity, and a sense of humor that could light up even the darkest day.

Jeff married the love of his life, Jennifer LuAnn (Hecker) Howell, on March 14, 1998. Together they built a life filled with love, laughter, faith, and family — raising two God-fearing, successful sons, Jeffrey Michael Howell Jr. and Jace Nathaniel Howell.

Jeff graduated from Peoples Baptist Academy in 1991 and had a lifelong love of sports. Whether it was basketball, softball, baseball, football, or bowling — if it involved a scoreboard, Jeff was in. He was fiercely competitive but always made it fun. He truly enjoyed fishing, hunting, and playing Euchre but no matter what he was doing, his favorite place to be was with his family.

He had a quick wit, an enormous laugh, and an endless supply of one-liners — often delivered at the perfect moment – a humor that made people feel comfortable and brought joy to everyday moments. He could make you laugh until you cried, and he loved to keep things light even in tough times.

Jeff was a proud member of OCF/Crossroads Church (Ontario Campus) for over 25 years. He served faithfully on the church’s security team and attended the men’s prayer breakfasts each week. He was also one of the go-to grill masters at countless church events — flipping burgers, cracking jokes, and feeding the whole crowd. His unmistakable servant’s heart always led him to step in and help wherever he was needed.

Jeff was a jack of all trades and while he liked to say he was a "master of none," in truth he could figure out just about anything. He started his own business, JMH Automotive & Lawn Care/Snow Removal, working alongside his sons — a role that filled him with pride. Prior to that, he worked more than 13 years at Pentair Water/FE Myers in Ashland, and most recently as a Service Technician at CenturyLink.

In 2019, Jeff faced one of his biggest battles when he was diagnosed with Acute Leukemia. He fought hard, beat the odds, and lived to celebrate six years cancer-free. His strength and resilience inspired everyone who walked that journey with him.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Jennifer; sons, Jeffrey Jr. and Jace; his loyal dog, Champ, who rarely left his side and was very much part of the family; his father, Jesse Howell; his brothers Richard (Debra) Howell and John (Jenifer) Howell; his mother-in-law, Julia Darlene Hecker; his sister-in-law Jessica (Bill) Phillips; his brother-in-law Jonathon (Ashley) Hecker; and many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family. He was preceded in death by his mother, Cheryl Darlene Howell and his Father-in-Law, James Eugene Hecker.

Jeff will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. His strength, robust laughter, ever helping hands, and his huge heart will forever be remembered. His legacy lives on in the stories, “Jeff-isms,” and smiles of those whose lives he touched.

A public viewing will be held Wednesday, July 23, from 6:00-8:00 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life Service on Thursday, July 24, at 10:00 a.m. Both will be held at Crossroads Church – Ontario Campus, 636 Lexington Springmill Rd. S, Mansfield, OH 44906.

In lieu of floral tributes, the family respectfully invites GiveSendGo contributions (https://www.givesendgo.com/JeffHowellMemorial) in Jeff’s memory to assist them with transitional expenses and ad hoc travel. Your generosity is deeply appreciated as they navigate the months ahead.

Wappner Funeral Directors and Crematory is honored to serve the family.