Wendy Lynn Howlett-Harman

Wendy Lynn Howlett-Harman, 35, of Decatur, died at 6:25 p.m. on Wednesday, November 29, 2006 at St. John’s Hospital. Wendy was born February 2, 1971 in Springfield, the daughter of Robert and Karen Howlett. She married Matthew Harman in 1999. Wendy was raised in Springfield and graduated from Sacred Heart-Griffin High School in 1989 as a member of the very first co-ed class. She followed in her parent’s footsteps and worked on and off in public service with the State of Illinois with the Secretary of State, Department of Public Health and Central Management Services. When not employed in State government, she worked in different private sector jobs and was also a stay-at-home mom. Wendy was heavily involved with the Sudden Infant Death (SIDS) of Illinois program after the loss of her beloved son, Jacob. She helped numerous grieving parents and families cope with the loss of their own loved children. She was a peer contact to many of these parents and was instrumental in increasing the presence of SIDS Illinois in the Central Illinois region. She instructed many public and private sector entities and individuals on how to help families cope with the loss of a child to SIDS and she was also instrumental in organizing and hosting memorial programs for families who have lost children to SIDS and showing that there is life and love after SIDS. She is also the recipient of the first annual Wendy Howlett-Harman Achievement Award from SIDS of Illinois. Wendy was also very involved with breast cancer survivors. For five of the past six years, she attended the Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure Walk in Decatur, Illinois. She was a member of the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Parish in Decatur, Illinois. She was preceded in death by her beloved son: Jacob Robert Howlett; grandfather: former Secretary of State of Illinois, Michael J. Howlett; grandmother: June Niemeier; uncle: Dale Niemeier; and Papa Leo. She is survived by her husband: Matthew Harman of Decatur; parents: Karen and Bob Howlett of Pleasant Plains; son: Joseph Harman; daughter: Amanda Harman; three sisters: Robin Howlett of Jacksonville, Michelle and Jessica Howlett of Pleasant Plains; one brother: Robert (wife, Becki) Howlett; grandmother: Helen “Doob” Howlett of Naperville, IL; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Family will receive friends from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 3, 2006 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Visitation will begin with a Prayer at 3:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, December 4, 2006 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 524 E. Lawrence, Springfield with Fr. Richard Weltin celebrant. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to: SIDS of Illinois, 710 E. Ogden Ave., Ste. 550, Naperville, IL 60563, or to: The Susan B. Komen Foundation, 5005 LBJ Fwy., Ste. 250, Dallas, TX 75244. The family of Wendy Lynn Howlett-Harman is being served by Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield.