James W. ‘Jim’ Howell

James W. “Jim” Howell, 78, of rural Vienna, and formerly of Lockport, died Sunday, March 7, 2010 at 5:09 a.m. at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

Mr. Howell was born on Nov. 30, 1931, in Vienna, the son of Claude Howell and Vinncie Bullock Howell.

He married Margaret L. Welsh in 1955 in Crown Point, Ind. She survives.

Other survivors include a son, Donald James Howell of Plainfield; a daughter, Bonna M. Lilly and Sven Bodell of Plainfield; two grandchildren, Lauren M. Lilly of California and Ryan P. Lilly of Chicago; a sister, Betty Lingle and her husband Wayne of Anna; a brother, Lloyd E. Howell of Lick Creek community in Union County; a sister-in-law, Janet Howell of Wichita, Kan.; nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and hunting friends.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Howell was preceded in death by two brothers, David Howell and Charles D. “Snooky” Howell; and by a sister-in-law, Cheryl Howell.

Mr. Howell was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War. He was a member of Beggs-Gurley VFW Post No. 5222 in Vienna.

He was employed as a millwright for 33 years by General Motors at the Fisher Body Assembly Plant in Willow Springs.

He liked horses and was a former member of the American Quarter Horse Association. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, farming and raising cattle.

He was a member of the First Congregational Church in Lockport.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, March 10, at 11 a.m. at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Pastor Mark Roath officiated.

Burial was in Vienna Fraternal Cemetery. Military graveside rites were accorded by the Beggs-Gurley VFW Post No. 5222 and the Illinois burial honors detail.

Memorials can be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 1311 Mamaroneck Avenue, Suite 310, White Plains, N.Y. 10605.

Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna was in charge of arrangements.