Howard was born on June 12, 1949, in Detroit, Michigan, to Howard Charles and Emmaline (née Cowsert) Misch. He was raised in Detroit and, following his education, began a long and dedicated career as a millwright at the General Motors Technical Center. Through years of hard work and commitment, he earned the respect of his coworkers and took great pride in his profession until his retirement at the age of 57.
Above all else, Howard was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. On March 22, 1967, he married the love of his life, Kathleen Irene (née Young). Together they shared 59 wonderful years of marriage, building a life centered on faith, family, and love while raising their three children.
Howard cherished time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Whether gathered for holidays, celebrations, or simple visits, he treasured every moment spent with those he loved. He also shared a special bond with his beloved dog, Carly.
A man who took great pride in his home, Howard enjoyed tending to his flowers and keeping his property beautiful. He possessed a remarkable talent for woodworking and spent many hours creating handcrafted shelves, clocks, and other treasured pieces for his home and family. He was an avid fan of the Detroit Tigers and looked forward to spending time with family at Rifle Lake, where many cherished memories were made over the years.
Howard’s faith was an important part of his life. He was a devoted member of the Church of Christ in Warren and found strength, guidance, and fellowship through his church family.
Howard is survived by his beloved wife, Kathleen Misch; his children, Steven (Stephanie) Misch, Howard (Valerie) Misch Jr., and Rhonda Lynn Ode (James Scherrer); his grandchildren, Dominic (Tyler), Amanda (Scott) Tiffany (Donna), Kayla (Jake), Kyle, Alexis, and Brooke; and his great-grandchildren, Jaxson, Blake, Mackenzie, and Hudson. He is also survived by his siblings, Rosie (Jim) Jones, Sandy (Pete) Dale, Eddie (Toni) Misch, and Pamela Tower; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
Howard was preceded in death by his parents, Howard C. and Emmaline Misch; and his siblings, Bertha Hughes and Mark Misch.
Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM, with a funeral service commencing at 12:00 PM, on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at Resurrection Funeral Home, 40800 Hayes Road, Clinton Township, Michigan 48038.
Howard will be laid to rest at Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton Township, Michigan.
