Joe Howell

Joe Hartwell Howell, 83, passed away peacefully on March 19, 2022. He was born on October 21, 1938, the beloved only child of Charlie and Josephine (Little) Howell in Vienna, Illinois. They soon moved north to Ann Arbor, Michigan, but Joe would often return to spend his summers on his grandparent’s farm in Southern Illinois, and made many fond memories of that time with his cousins Bub and Lanny. Joe graduated from Ann Arbor High School and went into the Navy where he learned Morse code and became a Communications Officer on a submarine-hunting aircraft stationed in Iceland. Upon his honorable discharge, he met his wife Joyce at the students’ union at Eastern Michigan University where they shared a Coke on their first date. Joe and Joyce were married on August 19, 1961, in Ypsilanti, Michigan and then moved to Big Rapids where Joe got his pharmacy degree. Joe and Joyce had 3 children: Kathy, David and Tom. Joe owned and operated Riverview Pharmacy and Dowagiac Pharmacy throughout the 80’s and 90’s. He was an active member of the State Pharmacists Association and the Lions Club. Joe was a warm and welcoming soul. He made friends everywhere he went and cared deeply about others. He reveled in playing golf, constructing world-class drip sandcastles, making pancakes, painting and playing cards with his grandkids and friends. Joe is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Joyce (Brooks); his children Kathy Dew (John), David (Shelly), and Tom (Sheila); grandchildren Lindsey, Cullen and Calen Howell, Carly Briggs (Sean), Aleah, Josie and Jackson Dew. Friends are invited to join the family at a celebration of his life to be held at Lake Michigan Golf Hills on Friday, March 25th from 4-6pm. There will be a private ceremony at Starks Funeral Home and family burial at Riverview Cemetery on Friday, March 25th. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Joseph Lincoln Senior Center, the Lincoln Township Public library, or St. Judes Children’s Fund. Those wishing to share a memory of Joe online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com