Penwell Turner Funeral Home - Shelby, Ohio

James H. Howard

 James H. Howard, age 88, of Shelby, met his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday morning, November 16, 2022. He passed peacefully at his home with his wife, Margaret, at his side.

Jim was born October 12, 1934 in Coldiron, KY to the late Edward W. and Mossie May (Brock) Howard. Jim and his wife Margaret grew up together, knowing each other since the age of five, and together graduated in 1954 from Wallins Creek High School, Harlan County, KY. They married on December 17, 1955 and briefly moved to Detroit before relocating to Richland County to begin a new career at General Motors in Ontario, where Jim would later retire.

Known for how hard he worked, Jim also managed several rental properties, bought and sold cars, owned a local store, and operated a moving company; always looking to provide the best for his family. In addition to work, he attended the First Freewill Baptist Church of Shelby where, for many years, he was a deacon, taught Sunday School, and served as Sunday School Superintendent.

Jim and Margaret loved to spend their winters in Lakeland, FL where they enjoyed visiting with family and friends. Jim also found peace in fishing and would often take his grandsons out early on summer mornings. He coached Little League when his kids were young and could always be found displaying sports pins in support of his grandkids.

Above all else, Jim loved his family. They are the reason he worked so hard, and nothing gave him more joy. From rowdy family reunions and holidays to intimate conversations, Jim was the definition of a family man; someone everyone could go to, and everyone leaned on. His life goal was to share God’s love with everyone he met, and his family benefits from this legacy of love every day.

His family will remember how his smile was infectious, and how he was always the best-looking man in the room (and he would tell you so!); his gentle demeanor, his fierce love for the Lord, and how when he hugged you, his cologne stayed with you for days. To his grandkids, he was lovingly called “Papaw” and he was friend to so many.

Jim is survived by his wife of nearly 67 years, Margaret (Osborne) Howard; children: James (Terri) Howard of Shelby, Tim Howard of Shelby, and Tricia (Guy) Vogrin of Cortland; 10 grandchildren: Scott (Jessalynn) Howard, Aaron (Jessica) Howard, Troy (Cara) Howard, Brandon (Felisa) Vogrin, Sara (Edwin) Napol, Heather (Luke) Carpenter, Bethany (Jason) Koenig, A.J. (Kristy) Howard, Savannah Howard, and Steven Howard; 25 great grandchildren: Isabelle, Hannah, Noah, Jacob, Isaac, Joshua, Elisha, Samuel, Grace, Faith, Leah, Israel, Kylie, Khloe, Isaac, Ronin, Wade, Ariyah, Skyler, Peyton, Wyatt, Henry, Nora, Clara, and Sutton; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Jim was looking forward to the day he could walk the streets of Heaven with his son, Mark Howard, who passed away in May of 2019. In addition, he was preceded in death by his parents; siblings: Earl Howard, Edward Ray Howard, Beulah May Hall, Bessie Richmond, Mattie Payne, Twila Foster, Birdie McKnight, Faye Dodge, and 2 infants; and in-laws: Joseph and Nora Osborne, Edward Osborne, Tracy Osborne, Elizabeth Prater, and Joetta Levering.

Family and friends are welcome on Friday, November 18, 2022 from 4-7 pm at the Penwell Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby, where funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2022 at 11 am. Jim’s grandson, Aaron Howard, will officiate the services with burial following in Little London Cemetery, Shelby. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association through their website, www.heart.org/donate.

Online condolences may be left on Jim’s obituary on the funeral home website,www.PenwellTurner.com, or the funeral home Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/PenwellFuneral.

To view Jim’s tribute video, click the link provided: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/HP2NJTQJFTXDYRFZ

Memories & Condolence

  1. Chantele says:

    What a great man of God and wonderful human being. He will be deeply missed.

  2. Contessa Hensley and Family says:

    Uncle Jimmy, what a man. He was so much to so many. We loved him like a grandfather. He and Aunt Maragret felt more like grandparents than aunt and uncle. My kids know them as Mamaw and Papaw Howard. I always looked forward to their visists to Florida and spending time with them while they were here. It was part of my favorite time of year.
    Even though we loved him so much I know they family is feeling that loss so much more. I can just imagine my Papaw when he saw Uncle Jimmy there! We love you all and we are praying for comfort.

  3. Teresa (Copley) Philipsllips says:

    Margaret and family, so sorry to hear of Jim passing .
    he was a good man i remember being little going to church with all
    of you. Prayers for all of you

  4. Kevin Eyrse says:

    Payers to your family in this time of grief.

  5. Michael Rose says:

    I loved that man of God. He taught me to seek the deeper things of God. Enjoy heaven brother.

  6. Roy & Linda Copley says:

    Margaret and family. We are so sorry for you loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

  7. Carol skeans says:

    Margaret and family how I wish I was telling you in person instead of this way how truly sorry I am. My heart is hurting for all of us. He was a real friend that truly loved and we loved him back and this wonderful family. We are more like family than friends and our next reunion will be in Heaven. I’m sure him and Dwight have already found each other and having the time of their life. One day soon we will join them!!

  8. Greg Dodge says:

    What a man. Love you all.

  9. Park & Sheri Arter says:

    2 Timothy 4:7-8 – While we all mourn his passing, Jimmy is in paradise – Sweet Beulah Land, the place he often talked about, and all of us long for! So many memories from childhood to adulthood of a man who was never ashamed to share the plan of salvation with others. Our hearts are broken, but you are running the streets of gold, and rejoicing around the throne of Jesus with all of the redeemed! Sending our love and prayers to Margaret and the entire Howard family in the days ahead.

  10. Paula Ross says:

    To Tim & Family,
    My condolences for the loss of your father. Sending prayers for comfort & peace in the coming days.

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