James Howell

James Ray Howell, age 61, of 563 E Oshkosh St., Ripon, WI passed away early Wednesday morning, April 7, 2004, at his home.
He was born April 14, 1942, in Bridgeport, CT, the son of James Nix and Frances (Helbach) Howell. James was later adopted by his stepfather, James M. Howell. James spent his early childhood days growing up in Durant, OK and Joplin, MO. When he was a teenager, he moved with his family to a small rural community near Okemah, OK where he attended Excelsior High School. After high school, James entered the Army and was stationed at Army Posts in Arizona, Germany, Korea, and Oklahoma. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1965. James attended Seminole Junior College in Seminole, OK and Oklahoma State University. During the summers when he was between semesters, James started working at Green Giant in Ripon, WI. James became a field manager at Green Giant and retired after 23 years of service. After retiring from Green Giant, James worked for 5 years for Viking Electric in Oshkosh, WI. It was during his early years in Ripon where he met Bonnie Baye and on September 1, 1972 they were married in Ripon. James was a member of Our Saviour’s United Church of Christ.
Survivors include his loving wife, Bonnie; son, Matthew and special friend, Tina Clark of Oshkosh; daughter, Pepper Howell and fiancé, Daniel Bushner of Fond du Lac; two granddaughters, Piper and Molly; sister, Carol Sue and family of Bennington, OK; uncles Morris (Linda) Helbach and J.E. Helbach, and their families of Katy, TX; aunt, Doris (A.J.) and their family of Bennington, OK; mother-in-law, LuVerne Baye of Green Bay; sister-in-law, Joan (Leonard) Shefchik and family of Green Bay; brother-in-law, Philip (Linda) Baye of Abrams; brother-in-law, Paul Baye (Suzanne Beers) and family of Colorado Springs; and numerous friends. He was preceded in death by mother, Frances Howell; father, James Nix; stepfather, James Howell; and father-in-law, Clifford Baye.
Visitation will be Monday, April 12. 2004, from 4-8 p.m. at Our Saviour’s United Church of Christ, Ripon, and again on Tuesday from 10-11 a.m. at the church. Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 13, 2004, at the church with Rev. Mark R. West officiating. Interment will take place in Bethel Reeds Corners Cemetery, Town of Metomen. Memorials to Beaver Dam Community Hospital, 707 University Ave., Beaver Dam, WI 53916 toward the new building fund for the oncology dept. and to Our Saviour’s United Church of Christ Puppet Ministry, 343 Scott St, Ripon, WI 54971.

Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home, Ripon, is assisting the family.
www.butzinmarchant.com