Marguerite "Marge" Howard

January 30, 1916 - November 4, 2013

St. Joseph – Marguerite “Marge” Howard, 97, of St. Joseph, passed away on Monday, November 4, 2013 at Caretel in St. Joseph. A Mass celebrating her life will be at 10 AM on Saturday, November 9, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Joseph with Msgr. Eugene Sears officiating. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 PM to 8 PM on Friday at the Dey-Florin Chapel of Florin Funeral Service in St. Joseph where a Prayer Service will be held at 7:30 PM. Memorials may be made to Lake Michigan Catholic Schools or Hospice at Home. Messages of condolence may be sent to www.florin.net. Marge was born January 30, 1916 to Joseph and Mary Steltman at the family farm on Cleveland Ave. in Lincoln Township. Marge was a life-long area resident. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and in 1934 she graduated as class valedictorian from St. Joseph Catholic High School. She married her husband, Elbert M. Howard, on October 25, 1940 and he preceded her in death in 1969. She began her career with the Michigan Employment Security Commission in 1936 and retired in 1982. She enjoyed playing bridge, gardening, needlework, reading, and baking. Marge also loved and served her church and community, volunteering in many church ministries and local organizations. Marge had a deep appreciation for the beauty and grandeur of her beloved Lake Michigan. Marge’s family was her priority throughout her life. She unselfishly and tirelessly nurtured and cared for her family. Surviving are her children, Carol (Charles) Orean of Bedford, Texas, Michael Howard of Battle Creek, and Philip Howard of St. Joseph; 2 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; and by numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. Marge was also preceded in death by her parents, 6 sisters; and by a brother.