Velma B. (Taft) Howell

Velma B. (Taft) Howell of Springfield, 73, died at 3:50 a.m. on Saturday, December 9, 2006 at her residence. She was born on February 23, 1933 in Peoria, the daughter of Ivan and Millicent Wertzbar Falconer. She married Earl “Gene” Howell on April 5, 1986 in Springfield. She graduated from Buffalo-Tri City High School and for twenty-nine years she worked in the Personnel Office for the Illinois Department of Corrections until her retirement in 1994. After retirement, she worked part-time at the Holiday Inn Gift Shop and the Feathered Nest Craft Mall. Velma lived in the Springfield community for thirty-four years and also lived in the community of Edinburg. She attended First United Methodist Church and was a member of the Twin Lakes Association. Velma enjoyed quilting, various crafts and collecting beanie babies. She was a former Cub Scout Den Mother for Troop #75 and was formerly involved with a square dance club in Taylorville. She liked to go to riverboat casinos and play slot machines. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and family. She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother: Seth Falconer and one stepson: Danny Howell. She is survived by her husband: Earl “Gene” Howell of Springfield, two sons: Mark (wife, Barb) Taft of Rockford and Mike (wife, Tracy) Taft of Springfield; one daughter: Marcia (husband, Richard) Harbour of Springfield; two step-daughters: Dena Wyatt of Springfield and Anita (husband, Eric) Oxencis of Chatham; eleven grandchildren with one on the way: Erica, Christopher, Ricky, Jessica, Kendra, Greg, David, Cassandra, Alex, Matt, Emma and Tara Lynn (on the way); seven great-grandchildren: Nicole, Tristan, Darian, Damon, Gregory, Alexavier and David; one sister: Roxella (husband, Wayne) Earles of Dawson; one sister-in-law: Peggy Falconer of Ontario, CA and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 12, 2006 at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Funeral Ceremonies will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, with Dr. Roger Rominger officiating. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield. Memorial contributions may be made to: American Cancer Society, 1305 Wabash, Suite J., Springfield, IL 62704 or the American Heart Association, Midwest Affiliate, Memorial & Tributes Lockbox, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674. The family of Velma B. Taft Howell is being served by Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St. Springfield.