Donald L. Howell

      Donald L. Howell, 78, of Alma, MI passed away Wednesday, July 6, 2022, at  McLaren Bay Region Hospital, Bay City, MI.
      A Funeral Service will be held at Smith Family Funeral Home, St. Louis, MI at 12:00 P.M. on Saturday, July 16, 2022. Private burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Alma, MI. Visitation will be held prior to the Funeral Service beginning
at 11:00 A.M. at the funeral home.
     Donald was born in Alma, Michigan on February 23, 1944, the son of James Elmer and Violet Mae (Little) Howell. He attended Alma High School.
On February 29, 1964, Donald married Bernadette Mary Daniel at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Alma. They were blessed with 58 years of marriage.
      Don was a driver/salesman for Schafer’s Bakeries in Mt. Pleasant, MI, for over 25 years and store manager for Vescio’s and Giant stores. But most of all he was a union man. He belonged to the United Food and Commercial Workers U.F.C.W. and Retail Wholesale and Department Store Union R.W.D.S.U. unions serving as Steward and Executive board member.  He was also a member of Alma's Elk Lodge #1400.  He was a man who fought for what was right.

     Don had a unique way of making people laugh with his quick wit and sometimes warped sense of humor. He was known for his sly comebacks, grand entrances, and a knack for letting others know his opinions. He had a cut-and-dry attitude in which one never knew what would come out of his mouth – good or bad –depending upon the situation. Often he could be found escaping society by going fishing on his pontoon, riding to Loon Lake, camping with his family, or cruising around the campground on his golf cart. Whether loved or hated, he made an impression on all and taught his family not to care one way or another what other people thought or said. He was a husband, father, and grandfather who taught life lessons with flare.

     He showed his kids how to ride bikes backwards until he wiped out in the driveway, He especially enjoyed teasing the grandkids – from chasing them around the yard on his lawnmower, teaching them all the quirky little sayings he grew up with, showing them how to walk on stilts, or operate a pogo stick, or giving them rides on his golf cart. But most of all, he loved fishing with them. He loved being a grandpa.

     Many of the world’s problems were solved on the golf course with his best friends, Dan and Chuck. He enjoyed many vacations with his wife to places such as the Smoky Mountains, Jamaica, Hawaii, Louisiana, and Florida. Don leaves behind him a legacy of family members who will treasure every moment spent with him, will miss him greatly, and look forward to seeing him again.
     Don is survived by his wife Bernadette, four children: Anthony (Donna) Howell of Sterling Heights, Carrie (Glenn) Carey of Midland, Terry (Mary Kay) Howell of Burton, and Holly (Jim) Butcher of Alma. He is also survived by ten grandchildren: Rachelle, Tristan, Michael, Kaitlyn, Mitchell, Andrew, Jasmin, Jacob, Adam, and Ava; three sisters: Betty Kaufman of Petoskey, Pat Howell of Carson City, and Mary DeLong of St. Louis; and many
nieces and nephews. Don was preceded in death by his parents, sister Dorothy Martinez, and brother James
Howell Jr.
Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by
Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis, Michigan.