Gary Max Howe

Gary M. Howe, age 68, of Dimondale, passed away on Tuesday, February 9, 2021, in Sparrow Hospital, Lansing. He was born February 16, 1952, in Paw Paw, the youngest of Max and Blanche (Bailey) Howe’s four children. Gary is best remembered for his love, kindness, compassion, wit, work ethic, tenacity, and faith in Christ. Gary graduated from Decatur Jr./Sr. High School in 1970. While there, he played the baritone in band and earned varsity letters in football, basketball, and baseball. He was captain of the football team, lead in the school play his senior year, and member of the National Honor Society. In the fall of 1970, Gary enrolled at Hope College and met the love of his life by courageously asking a minister’s daughter with long blonde hair, dressed in orange, if he could sit next to her in English class. Marcia (Dykstra) jokingly replied that the seat looked empty to her. From that moment on, she owned his heart. The two married on June 29, 1974. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of their first date this past October, their devotion is an epic love story for the ages. Gary received his B.S. in 1975 from WMU, with teaching certifications for high school auto mechanics in both Michigan and Illinois. For the next five years, he taught auto mechanics and shop and coached wrestling, girl’s track, and varsity and junior varsity football at Zion-Benton High School in Zion, IL. He also taught auto mechanics for women at College of Lake County. Gary’s love for the land led him back to his family farm, Ter-Aine Farm (est. 1877). He could make anything grow on the nine different soil types left behind by glaciers. Gary also put his auto mechanic skills to good use as a Ford master mechanic and a utilities team member for Cinergy Co., DTE, Duke Energy, proudly supplying Lansing Grand River and Delta Township Assemblies with energy and water to build American-made GM vehicles. Family was Gary’s hobby and greatest accomplishment. He supported his five children as a Boy Scout leader, T-ball coach, youth baseball coach, and softball coach. He was a member of the Decatur School Board for eight years, two as vice president. Gary would do anything for his kids, even if it meant manning a concession stand at MSU’s Breslin Center for one daughter’s basketball team, while wearing a UW Badgers shirt under his Spartans shirt to support another daughter (he thought this was hilarious and enjoyed people’s reactions - Sparty on!). Gary was a Deacon at Libertyville Presbyterian Church, IL, an Elder at First Presbyterian Church, Decatur, and a liturgist at First Presbyterian Church, Holt. His faith in Christ guided him, and with a strong and gentle baritone voice, his prayers guided others like the Good Shepherd guides His sheep. Gary is survived by his wife Marcia; children Melissa (J.R.) Schmidt, Amanda (Scott) Blackburn, Jonathan (Laurie), Matthew (Arlene), and Rebecca (Elizabeth); 11 grandchildren, with another grandboy on the way; and sister Ellen (Phil) Friday. He is preceded in death by his parents; siblings Miriam and Dennis; and in-laws Rev. Francis and Mayneen Dykstra. Visitation will be held on Monday, February 22, 2021, from 1PM until 3PM, at Newell Chapel, 83313 M51, Decatur. A graveside service will follow at Lakeside Cemetery, Decatur. if you wish to give a gift in Gary’s honor, in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the following organizations: American Red Cross, Leukemia Research Foundation, or First Presbyterian Church of Decatur. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.newellchapel.com.