Howard Junior Garten

Howard Garten, 80, of Powersville, MO, passed away at the Wayne County Hospital in Corydon, IA, on Wednesday, December 28, 2016, after a brief battle with cancer.

Howard Junior Garten was born in Corydon, IA, on October 13, 1936, the son of John Edward and Nellie Eva (Snyder) Garten, who preceded him in death. He grew up in Wayne County, IA, and Putnam County, MO, graduating from Unionville High School in 1954. Howard worked on a farm in Winterset, IA, and then at Inland Flour Mill, Armstrong Tire, and Lennox Company in Des Moines after High School. He married Rochelle Stark in Kidder, MO, on March 24, 1957, and she survives at home.

Howard and Rochelle returned to farm in the Powersville area in 1958 and lived the remainder of their married life there. In addition to being a full time farmer and running a dairy and beef herd, Howard worked at the milk plant in Allerton, IA. In the late 1980’s he began driving a truck for Warren White and continued driving over the road for other trucking companies for 18 years, finally retiring at the age of 74 from Voltmaster in Corydon. Howard also drove a school bus for West Putnam schools for 18 years.

Howard served his community for a number of years on the York Township Board and the Putnam County Care Center Board. He was a member of the Somerset Masonic Lodge in Powersville and was baptized member of the Christian Church in Powersville on May 18, 2003.

In addition to his wife, Howard is also survived by two sons, Randall Kent (Jean Ann) Garten of Sebastian, FL, and Bruce Alan (fiancé Jessica McQueen) Garten, and by a daughter, Teresa LuAnne (Marc) Hill of Lee’s Summit, MO. His grandchildren are Christina Takahashi, Stephanie Hill, Casey Hill, Jennifer Lansdale, Jeffrey Garten, Brandi Garten, and step-grandson Jason Maring. Howard is survived by six great grandchildren: Mia Takahashi, Frankie, Ayden, and Brinkley Lansdale, and Scarlet and Owen Havens. A sister, Doris Maxine Kincaid of Colona, IL, also survives.

Howard was also preceded in death by half-brothers Emmett, Lawrence, Lance, Max, and Johnny Garten, as well as a brother, Billy Garten and a sister, Wilma Murphy.

Memorial services for Howard Garten will be at Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home in Unionville, MO, at 2:00 p. m. Saturday, December 31, 2016, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Powersville Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials are suggested to the Powersville Christian Church and may be entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.