John W. Howe
John W. Howe, 90, of Canada Creek Ranch, died at home Friday, January 12, 2018. The son of James and Leonora (Dickenson) Howe, John was born October 2, 1927 in Flint. Following high school, John enlisted in the United States Navy and served from 1947 until his honorable discharge in 1953.
On August 21, 1954 John married the love the love of his life, Lenore A. Serant, in Belleville. It was after they were married that John decided to go college. He attended Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti receiving a master’s degree plus 30 in education. He taught in the Plymouth Canton Community School District for many years and in time became an elementary school principal. Working for the school district allowed the Howes to enjoy their summer vacations in northern Michigan. They bought a place at Canada Creek Ranch in the 1960s where they spent summers, eventually making it their permanent home in 1985.
Strong in his Christian faith, John was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church in Plymouth. He was particularly involved with the youth of the church and taught Sunday school for years. Since 1985 John has been a faithful member of the United Methodist Church in Onaway. In addition to being a member of the Canada Creek Ranch Association, John was a member of the Montmorency County Farm Bureau.
Extremely athletic and with a passion for sports, John played football, basketball, and ran track in high school and at Flint Junior College. He was inducted in the High School Sports’ Hall of Fame as well as the Flint Sports’ Hall of Fame. His love of sports was something that stayed with him throughout his life. Besides sports, John enjoyed the outdoors, in particular hunting and fishing. He enjoyed hunting pheasants in Iowa and many fishing trips to Canada. He shared his love for the outdoors with his children and grandchildren, teaching them to fish and nurturing their love for nature. John enjoyed poker club with the guys and playing dominoes. He and Lenore made wonderful memories as they traveled the United States. John’s zest for life, his love for his family, and his faith in God will be fondly remembered.
Surviving John is
Cremation arrangements were in care of the Chagnon Funeral Home. John’s family honored his request with a private service. Please keep his family in your thoughts. Those planning an expression of sympathy please consider a donation in memory of John to McLaren Home, Care, and Hospice of Alpena, 2078 West M-32, Alpena, MI 49707.