Cover photo for Nellie M. Howard's Obituary
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1931 Nellie 2011

Nellie M. Howard

July 9, 1931 — July 29, 2011

Nellie M. Howard, 80, of Cherry Valley, surrendered to her battle with cancer at home on July 29, 2011 on the morning of her 53 rd anniversary.nbsp; She was born July 9, 1931 in Blackford, Kentucky, the daughter of Eldridge Guy Sheffer and Annie Pearl Sheffer as the oldest of five children.nbsp; Nellie married Huston Eugene Bill Howard on July 29, 1958 at Black Grove Baptist Church in Clay, Ky.nbsp; Nellie graduated from Wheatcroft High School in 1949.nbsp; She earned a BS and a MS in Business Education from Murray State University in Murray, KY in 1955 amp; 1958 respectively.nbsp; Nellie began her teaching career at Equality, IL in 1956.nbsp; In 1963 she moved to Rockford to continue her teaching career at Roosevelt Junior High, Guildford High School, Jefferson High School, and she finished her teaching career at East High School.nbsp; She retired from teaching in 1989.nbsp; In 1978 she moved to Cherry Valley, IL.nbsp; Nellie and Bill enjoyed traveling through out their lifetimes.nbsp; They visited all 50 states, several Canadian Provinces, and Cancun Mexico.nbsp; Bill and Nellie believed in the importance of family and this was demonstrated by how she loved her husband, son and daughter-in-law, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and the children of her nieces and nephews.nbsp; Nellie loved reading books by Christian authors.nbsp; She also was excited to be able to see Billy Grahams Library in North Carolina.nbsp; Nellie and Bill also loved collecting and refinishing antiques.nbsp; Nellie and Bill believed in supporting many Christian organizations over the course of their lifetime.nbsp; Nellie is survived by her husband, Huston, of 53 years and a son, Mark, of Bourbonnais, IL; sisters, Helen Hill of Morganfield, KY and Lucy Spiceland of Muscle Shoals, AL; a brother Guy Sheffer of Mount Vernon, IN; daughter-in-law Debra Howard of Bourbonnais, IL; 3 grandchildren Wes Howard, Jenna Howard, and Kendall Howard, several nieces and nephews; and the children of her nieces and nephews.nbsp; Nellie was preceded in death by her parents, and her sister and brother-in-law June and Harold Cherry of Sterling, IL.nbsp; Nellie had received her faith in God as a young child and she was born again at that time.nbsp;nbsp;Her prayers to go to her eternal home without much suffering were answered swiftly.nbsp;Life wont be the same without her, and we look forward to our grand reunion in heaven.nbsp; Graveside services for the family and immediate relatives will be at Arlington Cemetery Friday, August 5, 2011 at 2:30 pm.nbsp; The visitation and memorial service are open to everyone and will be held Saturday, August 6, 2011 at First Evangelical Free Church at 10:00- 11:00 am with services at 11:00 am. A luncheon will follow the services at the church.nbsp; In lieu of flowers please make donations on Nellies behalf to the Rockford Rescue Mission.nbsp; On line tributes at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.

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