Obituary of Donald Lee Howard
Donald Lee Howard was born on December 11, 1959 in Toledo, Ohio. He was one of ten children born to the union of George Howard and Lottie Lola (Folk) Howard. Donald attended Erie Mason High School in Erie, Michigan. After high school he enlisted in the United States Army where he proudly served his country.
On November 7, 1980, Donald married the love of his life; the former Sandra “Sandy” Marie Jenkins. After living in Luna Pier for twenty years, Donald and Sandra would move to Toledo, Ohio in 2013 where they would make their home. He was employed many years as a truck driver for Keystone Automotive.
Donald was a true outdoorsman spending time in Atlanta, Michigan hunting deer and trapping. He also enjoyed fishing for anything that would bite on Lake Erie, canoeing down the Rifle River in Sterling, Michigan, or camping with his beloved wife Sandy throughout Michigan and Ohio in one of the numerous campers the two owned. He loved to play cards, throw horseshoes, and host cook outs with his buddies on the weekend. Whether a true outdoorsman or the master barbequer, Donald was a wonderful father and he truly enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.
Donald Lee Howard, age 62, of Toledo, Ohio passed away at his home on Monday; April 18, 2022 surrounded by his loving family. He had been under the care of Hospice of Ohio. His passing was preceded by his parents; George and Lottie Lola Howard; his brother; George Howard; his father and mother-in-law and several aunts and uncles.
To cherish his memory he leaves a loving wife of forty-one years: Sandra “Sandy” Howard of Toledo; two daughters: Jessica (Thomas) Ramirez-Luz, Nichole (Alex Carmona) Howard both of Toledo, Ohio; one son: Keith Robert Jenkins of Toledo, Ohio; six sisters: Patricia (Tom) Warner of Wisconsin, Beverly Ostermyer of Temperance, Michigan, Mary Bunker of Temperance, Michigan, Cheryl (Leo) Vascik of Erie, Michigan, Donna (Greg) Parks of Dallas, Texas, and Joy O’Halla of Houston, Texas; two brothers: Ronald Howard of Toledo, Ohio and Richard (Jan) Howard of Florida; sister in law: Pam Jenkins; brother in law: Robert Jenkins; seven grandchildren: Logan Jenkins, Javier Sumner, Vinny Avila, Caden Carmona, Aerrianna Avila, Alejandra Carmona, and Eliana Carmona; several Godchildren; aunts; uncles; nieces; and nephews.
Cremation has taken place through Covenant Cremation of Erie. Friends may gather from 4:30pm until 7:00pm on Saturday; April 23, 2022 at Merkle Funeral Service, Erie; 9156 Summit Street, Erie, Michigan 48133 (734) 317-7199. At 6:45pm members of the Erie Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3925 will perform military honors.
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