James M Howell

He was born December 13, 1937 in South Pekin to Harley and Mary Bennet Howell.

Surviving are 1 daughter, Anna Marie (Gary) Thorne of East Peoria; 1 son, James (Judy) Howell, Jr. of Florida; 5 grandchildren, Ashlynn Thorne, Jamie (Jessica) Howell, Starr Howell, Tyler Howell, and Nicole Howell; 1 great-granddaughter, Jasmine Howell; 2 sisters, Martha Wagner of Pekin and Joann (Ralph) Wilson of Bellevue; and 3 half-brothers, Lee Flier and Ralph Flier, both of Pekin and Robert (Shirley) Flier of Bartonville.

He was preceded in death by 1 son, Randy Howell; 2 brothers; 1 sister; 4 half-brothers; and 2 half-sisters.

Jim owned and operated Howell Excavating for 40 years, retiring in 2004.

He was a member of the Patriot Club in Creve Coeur and the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 649 in Peoria.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m., Monday, April 2, 2007at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel. The Rev. Terry C. Edele will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m., Sunday, April 1, 2007 at the funeral home. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery in Pekin.

Family and friends are invited to a reception following the services at the Creve Coeur V.F.W.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Tazewell Animal Protective Society, 100 Taps Lane, Pekin, IL 61554.