Edwin L Howells

Edwin Lawrence Howells, age 94, of Spring Hill, Florida, passed away on November 13, 2020. He was born on January 20, 1926, to Reese and Myrtle (Grawe) Howells. The youngest of seven children, he was raised on a farm northeast of Edwardsville, Illinois, on Carpenter Road. He was a lifelong member of the Catholic Church.

In 1943, at the age of 17, Howells eagerly enlisted in the U. S. Merchant Marine. Merchant shipping played a critical role during World War II as it provided the means to carry the personnel, supplies, and equipment necessary for the Allies to win the war. Howells’ service as a Mariner included four voyages and carried him around the globe. While serving on the Liberty ship SS Russell H. Chittenden, Howells and all the crew were shipwrecked in New Guinea and rescued on March 17, 1945.

Howells married the former Martha Louise Crawford on May 14, 1945, at St. Boniface Church in Edwardsville, Illinois, and they had eight children. While raising their family, Ed and Martha owned and managed Orbit Dry Cleaners in Collinsville, Illinois. After semi-retiring, Howells tried out the home construction business, real estate, and insurance before he and Martha traveled around the country in a motor home and then settled in Crocker, Missouri. After 47 years of marriage, his beloved Martha was called home to God on October 9, 1992.

After moving to Florida, Howells was fortunate to find love again and married Mildred Ann Seles on September 2, 1998. A backyard birding enthusiast and avid gardener, He was instrumental in the early development of the Spring Hill Botanical Garden.

Survivors include his wife, Mildred, of Spring Hill, Florida; five daughters and a daughter-in-law: Barbara Baker (John) of Spring Hill, Florida, Donna Kalicki of Belleville, Illinois, Debbie Howells of Carrabelle, Florida, Patricia Howells of Collinsville, Illinois, Susan Howells of Crocker, Missouri, and Rita Howells (Tony Torralba) of Maryville, Illinois; seven grandchildren: Robert Anderson, Jill Howells Shelton, Jeremy Howells, Kari Kalicki, Scott Kalicki, Michael Rice, and Daniel Rice; 11 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other members of a loving extended family.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Martha Crawford Howells; three children: Michael Howells, Steven Howells, and Gail Theresa Howells; and six siblings: Evelyn Howells Kraus, Henry Howells, Eleanor Howells Wildhaber, Margaret Howells Eberhart, John Howells, and Myrtle Howells.