Mary E. Howell

Mary E. Howell, 92, of Marion, and formerly of Chicago, died Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, at Parkway Manor in Marion. 

She was born on Sept. 10, 1931, in Jonesboro, the daughter of Daniel Webster and Velma Hancock Sullivan. 

After graduation from Anna-Jonesboro Community High School and Carthage College, she met her future husband, Richard “Dick” Howell. They married on Aug. 13, 1955, and moved to the Chicago area, where they lived until his passing on Oct. 20, 2018. 

Mrs. Howell dedicated her life to professionalism and education. She was the dean of students at Niles Township High School in Skokie and was the first female truant officer in Cook County. Despite her size she was respected and taken very seriously. 

She loved to travel the world with her husband, Richard, his brother and wife, Ronald and Nancy, visiting all 50 states and three continents over the years. She cherished her close relationships with her family and thought of her nieces and nephews as her own children. 

Mrs. Howell is survived by her sister, Jane Randol of Canton, Ga.; brother Steve (Bonnie) Sullivan of Anna; brother and sister-in-law Ronald (Nancy) Howell of Boise, Idaho; very special nephews I.D. Tripp and Tim Howell; numerous special nephews and nieces; other extended family and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Richard “Dick” Howell; a brother, Isaac D. Sullivan; and a sister, Mabel Moss.

Graveside services were at 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 9, at the Anna Cemetery, with Pastor Doug Bridgeman officiating. Interment immediately followed. 

Memorials can be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois. 

To view the obituary and to leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com. 

Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna was in charge of arrangements.