Howard Stovall

Howard M. Stovall was a successful business man and beloved husband, father and grandfather. He faced life with firm resolve and unwavering commitment. Both his professional accomplishments and personal values served others well. Howard gave people the respect they deserved.

Howard was born to Lee and Mary (Roberts) Stovall in Lebanon, Missouri on March 8, 1926. He was the second of three children, growing up in the countryside where their father worked several farms. As a “farm kid,” Howard learned to work hard, tackling his first plowing job behind a mule team on his uncle’s farm. At the end of that year, he was told he had done a good job and was rewarded with three gum drops (any money went to his parents).

Like many families of the Depression era, children pitched in to help, and Howard was no exception. All the money he earned went to support his family, which was vitally important when Howard’s father became ill and could no longer work. Howard threw himself into farming and quit school in the 8th grade to work full time. Not surprisingly, Howard’s drive to meet challenges head-on was a characteristic that marked his entire life.

At age 18, Howard enlisted in the U.S. Army at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, where he trained as a military police officer. He served in the South Pacific, participating in the Philippine Liberation campaign and earning a total of three Bronze Battle Stars and a Purple Heart, all under the rank of Private First Class. When he was honorably discharged in December of 1946, Howard returned to Lebanon and was soon confronted with more harsh realities. His mother passed away shortly after he was home, and he could not find work in Lebanon. Still, Howard did not give up.

One of Howard’s Army friends invited him to come to Grand Rapids to look for a job. He found steady work doing various jobs, and he lived with friends in a boarding house. In time, Howard grew impatient with the boarding house routine and the smoking and drinking of the other residents, so he left. His move to another house proved fortunate. His landlady’s son was an experienced well driller and soon Howard was working in his drilling business. Eventually, the two of them became partners and Howard liked the work so well that when he had the opportunity, he bought out his partner and went to work for himself.

The purchase was a good move for Howard and Stovall Well Drilling did great business under his work ethic. He was a conscientious business man and served his customers very well. At all times of the day or night, he responded to service calls. His reputation for quality work and top-notch products earned him the respect that he deserved. As a matter of principle, Howard worked for his customers as he would work for himself.

When he wasn’t working, Howard liked to ride motorcycles with his friends. One day, he rode with them to a friend’s house on Penn Avenue on the city’s northeast side. While there, Howard noticed Dorie Geldhof, the girl next door. He asked if she would like to go for a ride, but at that time, her mother would not let her go. Several months later, Dorie did go for a motorcycle ride with someone else and ended up at a local restaurant where Howard happened to be. The two of them struck up a conversation and soon a romance developed. When they decided to get married in 1951, they made their vows at Plainfield United Methodist Church.

To save money in the first few months of marriage, Howard and Dorie lived with her parents on Penn Avenue. At the time, Howard had recently become the sole owner of his well drilling business and was purchasing equipment. He was fortunate to be allowed to park his rigs in the back yard of his in-laws’ home, and he got along so well with the Geldhof family that his father-in-law sometimes went with Howard on Saturdays to help out. The living arrangement proved even more satisfactory when a grandson came into the picture. Dorie and Howard named their first child Howard Lee.

About a year after they were married, Howard and Dorie built a home on 4 Mile Road NE and lived there the rest of their lives. It became the family home for three more children, Debbie, Pamela and Dennis. In their rural setting, the children had horses—five of them at one time. Howard loved horses and so did his daughter Pamela. The two of them spent time working the horses so that Pamela could enter her horse in 4H competitions. For workaholic Howard, it was good to have family time, doing what he enjoyed.

Howard and his family also liked to go snowmobiling, and he and Dorie rode motorcycles with friends when he could get away. Saturday evenings were usually spent at the Speedrome in Comstock Park, where Howard could support his favorite race car driver. And never forgetting his military buddies, Howard became a member of the American Legion Post 0356 and a lifetime member of the Creston Post 3023.

Howard rarely seemed to have enough free time because he often worked at something during his spare hours, but he was still determined to have fun. He purchased property on Big Pine Island Lake and placed a mobile home there for his family to enjoy summer recreation. He taught the kids how to water ski and he liked watching them have fun with a variety of water sports. For summer vacations, they usually visited family in Missouri, and sometimes Howard’s father came back to Michigan with them to get reacquainted with his grandkids.

As a grandfather himself, Howard was proud to see the next generation thrive and grow. With his passing on Wednesday September 16, 2009, he leaves them a legacy of strong will and determination that made him the husband, father and grandfather they so dearly love.

Mr. Howard M. Stovall, aged 83 of Grand Rapids, is survived by his wife of 57 years, Dorie Stovall; his children: Howard L. and Audrey Stovall, Debbie and Phil Sweeney, Pamela Stovall, Dennis Stovall; his grandchildren: Emily Sweeney, Sarah and Ryan Potter, Allison Julia Stovall, his brother John Stovall, his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Alan and Vicki Geldhof, many nieces and nephews and his pet dog Missy. He was preceded in death by his sister June Cunningham and his parents-in-law Adrian and Julia Geldhof. A funeral service will be held Saturday at 11 AM at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Van Strien – Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield NE. Interment will be in Fairplains Cemetery. Mr. Stovall reposes at the funeral chapel where relatives and friends may meet his family Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. The family would like to thank all the nurses and doctors for their care and concern during Howard’s illness. For those who wish, memorial contributions to the Clark Home or Faith Hospice would be appreciated. To share a memory of Howard or to sign the online register book please visit www.lifestorynet.com