Josephine M Howard

Born July 10, 1930 in Chicago to Earl and Gladys (Briggs) Hite, she married Eldred D. "Al" Howard on August 4, 1950 in Rock Island.  He died in 1979 in Pekin.

Surviving are one daughter, Connie (Stephen) Julien of Marquette Heights; one son, David Howard of San Francisco, California; three grandchildren, Katie Julien and Matthew Julien, both of Normal and Sarah Julien of Marquette Heights; and one sister, June (Burton) Brooks of Palos Heights.

Jo was a member of First Christian Church in Pekin, where she had been a youth group leader and a member of the choir.

A 1948 graduate of Pekin Community High School, she was a very active student, participating in many activities including cheerleading and vocal groups.  She later graduated from Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in Peoria in 1951.

She worked as a registered nurse in the emergency room at Pekin Hospital for over 30 years.  She later worked for Pekin Manor and Beechwood Nursing Home in Pekin.

She was a member of the Pekin Women's Club in the 1960’s.  She also had bowled in the ladies and couples leagues in Pekin.  She formerly enjoyed western dancing with the Boot Kickers in Pekin.

Her funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 27, 2012 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.  Pastor Ed Henry will officiate.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral.  Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be given to her church at 1201 Chestnut St. Pekin, IL 61554 or to the Enhance the Future Scholarship Fund in c/o the Marquette Heights Men's Club.