Florence Marie Howard

Florence Marie (Van Laere) Howard, age 79 of Covington, IN and longtime resident of Pence, IN, died at 10:12 A.M. EDT on Monday, March 10, 2008 at Home Hospital in Lafayette, IN. Florence was born in Jordan Township in Warren County on December 17, 1928. She was the daughter of Pete and Delia Mae (Johnson) Van Laere. She attended Williamsport schools. Florence married Presley D. Howard on September 4, 1948 in Attica, IN. He preceded her in death on August 17, 2000. She lived in the Pence community for 50 years residing in Covington since 1989. Florence was a homemaker. She was a former member of the OES Chapter #162 West Lebanon and VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post #3318. Florence was an avid oil painter and enjoyed fishing, working with wildflowers and playing cards. Surviving are, 2 sons, John A. Howard (wife: Angeline) of Mandan, North Dakota and James M. Howard (wife: Diane) of Cutler, IN; 1 sister, Helen Lucille Criswell of Fowler, IN; 1 brother, Donald Lee Van Laere of rural Williamsport, IN; 7 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren. Florence was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son, Richard Lee Howard in 1996, and 2 infant brothers. Visitation will be at Grady Funeral Home in Williamsport on Friday, March 14, 2008 from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. EDT with Ladies Auxiliary services at 7:00 P.M. EDT. Services will be there in the chapel on Saturday, March 15, 2008 at 11:00 A.M. EDT with Pastor Bryce Wiley officiating. Interment will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Covington. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.