Margaret Ilene Howe

Margaret Ilene Howe Margaret Ilene Howe, age 86, a resident of Wheeling, Missouri, passed away on Monday, November 27, 2017, at Morningside Center, Chillicothe, Missouri. Margaret was born the daughter of Delbert Halsey and Della Gertrude (Transue) Stevenson on August 28, 1931, in Wheeling, Missouri. Growing up, Margaret attended school at White Cloud School in Eversonville, Missouri, where she went to school 1st through 8th grades. After finishing 8th grade, Margaret finished her education at Wheeling High School, graduating in 1949. Not long after graduating, Margaret was united in marriage to Willie Ray Howe on December 3, 1950, at the Wheeling Methodist Church. Margaret and Willie were blessed with three sons, Steve, Larry, and Doug. She spent her days as a homemaker and farm wife as she cared for her family. As a farm wife, Margaret took lunch to the field, made sure the men got where they wanted to go, and ran errands for Willie. Another part of caring for her family involved Margaret raising a huge garden every year. Margaret canned the produce from her garden to feed her family, and it was impossible to find someone who was better at cutting sweet corn off the ear than she was. Although Margaret's garden was always bountiful, her green thumb was also apparent in the beautiful wave petunias she planted every year. Aside from being a farm wife and homemaker with a green thumb, Margaret was also a sports fan. She faithfully followed both the Kansas City Royals and the Meadville Eagles. Margaret and Willie attended most Eagles basketball games at Meadville High School when their children and grandchildren were in school. Margaret also attended Wednesday Club, Busy Bee Extension Club, Coterie Club, Farmerette Club, and was a leader for the Jr. Bee's 4-H Club. Though Margaret was busy as a homemaker and farm wife, she had several hobbies she enjoyed. Margaret loved to shop (she had a sign in her house when Willie was alive that said, "Your husband called. He said to buy anything you want."), and she was a superb city driver who could navigate her way through Kansas City without directions. She also enjoyed sewing and quilting and had the ability to patch any pair of jeans that came her way. Traveling was another of Margaret's hobbies. She took several trips with her friends, including a particularly memorable trip to New York City. Margaret also collected magnets from each of the places she visited. Another of Margaret's hobbies was reading; she was a voracious reader and especially liked Danielle Steele and Nora Roberts. Margaret also loved playing cards. Though Margaret had several hobbies, her favorite way to pass the time was with her grandchildren. Margaret loved her grandchildren, and their pictures were arranged throughout her home. She also always kept Dubble Bubble Gum, candy bars, and summer sausage on hand for her grandchildren's visits. Survivors include three sons, Steve Howe and wife Bev, Larry Howe and wife Diana, and Doug Howe and wife Rhonda, all of Wheeling, Missouri; ten grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Margaret was preceded in death by her parents; mother-in-law, Anna Mae Howe; husband, Willie Ray; daughter-in-law, Marsha Howe; sister and brother-in-law, Irene and Robert Higgins; two sisters-in-law, Betty Howe, and Lucille Foster; and brother-in-law, Lloyd Howe. Funeral services will be held at the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Saturday, December 2, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. A scheduled visitation will be held at the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Saturday, December 2, 2017, one hour prior to the service at 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Friends may call at the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Friday, December 1, 2017, from 12 noon until 6:00 p.m. Burial will be held at Wheeling Cemetery, Wheeling, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to the Meadville Lions Club for the purchase of softball bleachers and may be left at or mailed to Lindley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 47, Chillicothe, Missouri 64601. Online condolences may be made at www.lindleyfuneralhomes.com . Arrangements are under the direction of Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri.