Howard Nault, Sr.

Howard Benjamin Nault Sr., age 80, of Ripon, passed away on February 22, 2008, at Kindred Hospital in Milwaukee.

Howard was born on November 19, 1927, in Milwaukee, the son of Joseph H. and Lora L. (Rapp) Nault. He graduated from Washington High School and then went on to enlist in the U.S. Army to serve during WWII. Howard returned home from overseas in 1946, after serving with the 524th MP Battalion in occupied Germany. He immediately began working for the Veteran’s Administration office in Milwaukee, as well as the Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Company. Howard received a BS degree from the Milwaukee State Teachers College, which is now known as the UW-Milwaukee, in 1953. He became a teacher and an art supervisor for the Shawano School District. In 1955, Howard moved to Ripon, where he continued to teach, as well as coach sports for the Ripon Public School system. He also is credited for starting the art department for the school district, as well as the high school wrestling program. On April 22, 1957, Howard married Joan F. Motzko in Milwaukee. In 1963, Howard became an insurance agent, and worked for the Bankers Life Insurance Company, later called the Principal Group, until 2000. He was a member and past commander of the Brown-Parfitt American Legion Post #43, a member of VFW Post #5278, and served as chairman of the Fireworks and Independence Day Committee for both. He was a 32nd degree Mason, and was twice past-master of Prairie View Lodge #95. Howard belonged to Pyrotechnic Guild, International, and was in charge of fireworks displays on the 4th of July for Ripon and several other Fox Valley communities for years. He was a Rotarian with 19 years of perfect attendance, as well as being a Paul Harris Fellow and an active volunteer for the BSA. He served as chairman of the Scholarship Committee for several area high schools, and had the distinction of being the first ever male inducted into membership in the American Association of University Women of Ripon. Howard was an avid outdoorsman and conservationist who enjoyed hunting, fishing, canoeing, and camping. He also loved to sing karaoke.

Survivors include his wife of over 50 years Dr. Joan F. Nault; sons, Howard B. (Kelly) Nault, Jr. and Kevan Nault; daughters, Nicole Nault and Stephanie (Angelo) Fallucca; grandsons, Johnathan Nault and Michael Angelo Fallucca; granddaughters, Kaitlyn Nault and Giovanna Fallucca; great-granddaughter, Hannah Nault; brother, Dr. James (Christine) Nault; and nephews, Michael, Andrew (Tammy), and Matthew Nault. Howard was preceded in death by his parents; step-father Evan A. Hart; and daughter, Jonelle Nault.

Visitation for Howard B. Nault, Sr. will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m. with both Military and Masonic services beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 29, 2008, at the Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home in Ripon, and again from 10:00-11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 1, 2008, at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 218 Blossom St. in Ripon.

Funeral service for Howard B. Nault, Sr. will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 1, 2008, at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Ripon with Reverend Robert A. Fictum officiating. Interment will follow with full Military Honors at St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery, Town of Ripon. A memorial has been established.
Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home, Ripon, is assisting the family.
www.butzinmarchant.com