Patricia R. "Pat" Howard Obituary (1936

Patricia R. "Pat" Howard age 86 Normal, IL passed away at passed away on Wednesday, evening November 23, 2022 at The Village at Mercy Creek, Normal IL. A graveside service for family and friends will be 1:00 PM Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at East Lawn Cemetery, Bloomington, IL. Rev. Trey Haddon will be officiating. There will be no visitation. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to the Pantagraph Good Fellow Fund or to Second Presbyterian Church, Bloomington, IL. Arrangements are being handled by Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington, IL. Pat was born October 26, 1936 in Bloomington, IL, the daughter of Charles and Evelyn Stevens Simpson. She married Gene Howard on March 9, 1957 in Auburn, IL. He passed away on August 15, 2007. Surviving are her 2 daughters, Shari (Jeffrey) Bell, Bloomington, IL, Buffi (Bob) Kellogg, Normal, IL, 2 sisters, Beverly Spear, Pennsylvania, Roberta Gordon, Atlanta, IL and 1 brother, Bob (Deborah) Simpson, Florida. Pat is preceded in death by her parents and 1 sister, Donita Walters Brent. Pat graduated from University High School. She attended Illinois Wesleyan University and a school in Minnesota where she was first runner up in Miss Minnesota Pageant. She later moved back to Bloomington where she met and married Gene Howard. Pat enjoyed herb gardening, quilting, reading, and shopping on QVC and JTV. She did not like cooking much but her potato salad was always requested at family dinners and her sugar cookies were a treasured treat on Valentine's Day & Christmas. Pat was a bookkeeper for her husband's business Gene Howards Body Shop and the United Way. Pat also worked at Merle Norman where she liked to "bring out the beauty in ladies." Another big part of her life was church, where she was an active member of Second Presbyterian Church and had been at Grace Baptist Church, Normal, IL. "Pris" her nickname given to her fondly by her husband Gene because she was always stylish dressed and "done to the nines." The family would like to thank, what she called the "home "at The Village at Mercy Creek where she lived and made special friendships, Amanda, Kennedy and Petra. Also the dear caregivers at Synergy and OSH Hospice who were there to support the family and helped her transition to be with the love of her life Gene. Please view the obituary and share your condolences and memories online at www.calvertmemorial.com