Mrs. Shirley Howells, 94 of Gainesville passed away Feb 16, 2017.
Mrs. Howells was born April 2, 1922 in Chicago, IL to Harry and Anna Jaeschke. She graduated from Morgan Park College and married her childhood sweetheart Robert Howells in 1942. During World War II she worked in Chicago at Consolidated Edison and Acme Steel Co. while Bob was overseas with the Army Air Corps. Upon his return in 1944 he was stationed at Bartow Air Base and they moved to Winter Haven, FL. They moved back to Chicago after the war, but they missed the Florida climate and returned to Winter Haven in 1951 when Bob got a job as an instructor back at Bartow Air Base. When he got the job, he called Shirley in Chicago and told her to “sell the house and pack up the kids (ages 6 & 4) and drive down to Florida”. He had to start his new job immediately and could not come back to help. Quite an order which she handled perfectly with no problems. In Winter Haven, Shirley worked at Diamond Fruit Co. and later at Edward G. Roe and Sons until the family moved to the Orlando area in 1965. She helped Bob in their State Farm Insurance business until their retirement in 1985. They enjoyed traveling to many countries throughout the world and also seeing the USA in their motor home. She and Bob enjoyed playing golf with their friends in the Orlando area.
She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and was of the Presbyterian faith. She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Bob, her daughter Nancy, her sisters Dorothy and Phyllis and her brother Bill.
Mrs. Howells is survived by her son Dick Howells (Rose) of Gainesville, FL, her grandchildren Donna Meyer (Stephane) of Delray Beach, FL and Susan Earle (Garrett) of Apollo Beach, FL and three great grandchildren, Sophie and Sebastien Meyer and Gregory Howells. Step-grandchildren, Lisa Tomlinson (Mark), Marilyn Young (Randy) and Nick Maize (Karen) and their families.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, February 21st at Forest Meadows Memorial Park Central, Chapel in the Meadows. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to service. Interment will be held Wednesday, February 22nd at Lakeside Memorial Park Cemetery in Winter Haven, FL. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Haven Hospice.
Arrangements are being handled by Forest Meadows Funeral Home in Gainesville, FL. www.forestmeadowsfh.com.
