Howard Louis Eifler was born on September 7, 1922, in Booneville, Indiana. He is preceded in death by his parents, John Louis Eifler and Magdalena Elizabeth (Geyer) Eifler, and his beloved wife, Cora Pauline (Webb) Eifler. He will be missed by his daughter, Tamara Pauline (Eifler) Boyer, and son-in-law Maurice Layfette Boyer of Knoxville, Tennessee, his son, John Michael Eifler, and daughter-in-law, Kimberly (Kimball) Eifler, of Belle Isle, Florida, and two precious grandchildren of whom he was immensely proud, Taylor Alexandra Boyer of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Jacob Michael Eifler of Belle Isle, Florida.
Howard served in the United States Army during World War II. As the only son of a widowed mother, Howard served from 1942 to 1946 at Camp Atterbury Indiana at Wakeman Hospital as a Tech Sergeant in the Army Medical Corp. Howard began his business career in the insurance industry, rising to President of the company. He later retired to Florida with his wife and two children, deciding to reside on Siesta Key in Sarasota. Howard formed and eventually sold a bank holding company and started his own commercial real estate development firm. Howard had a heart for education and helped to structure the purchase of his children’s local private school by the parents of students when the owner/headmaster passed away. Today, the Out of Door Academy, is still operating in Sarasota, both on Siesta Key and in the Palmer Ranch areas.
At the age of 73, Howard and his wife moved to Knoxville. Not wanting to “sit at home and rot,” Howard began working at Vanderbilt Mortgage & Finance in Alcoa and then in Maryville with the move of the corporate headquarters. Howard retired (again) from Vanderbilt after 20 years of service at the age of 93.
Our Dad was grateful for the love shown to him by family, neighbors and friends over the years, especially after our mom passed, and recently in the hospital. He was known to have a listening ear and always made time for others who he continuously kept in his prayers. Over the last few weeks as many came to visit him with support and encouragement, it was Dad offering comfort and asking to pray for them. Our Dad’s dedication to God, family, friends, country and the United States flag he always wore on his lapel, will be his legacy in the hearts of all who knew him.
Our Dad asked that no flowers be sent, but instead, wanted you to know that he had already received his flowers because each of you were a precious rose in his life. If you would like to make a donation as a memorial, please consider the East Tennessee Foundation Operating Fund online at etf.org or the Veterans Resource Center at The University of Tennessee at veterans.utk.edu.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Berry Highland Memorial on Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 4:00 pm, with Rev. Robert Bowman officiating. Following the service, there will be a gathering of family and friends from 4:45 pm to 6:00 pm at Berry Highland Memorial, 5315 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN, 37919. Friends may leave their condolences and memories at www.berryhighlandmemorial.com
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