ESCANABA - Pastor Lewis Howard Jr., 69, of Escanaba passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 14, 2012 at his home from natural causes.
Lewis was born Jan. 17, 1943, in Owosso, Mich., the son of Lewis and Florence (Wilson) Howard.
He was united in marriage to Virginia Gardiner on Aug. 5, 1964, in Escanaba. Lewis was the owner and manager of Lew's Southside Market in Escanaba until 1981, when he entered the ministry, attending college in Minneapolis, Minn., then pastoring the New Creation Bible Church in Minneapolis. Upon his return to Escanaba in 1997, he owned and managed Pizza Plus and My Bread Store and served as associate pastor and interim pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Escanaba until his recent retirement.
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Pastor Lewis Howard Jr.
Lewis is survived by his wife, Virginia "Cookie" Howard; his daughter, Ann (Jay) Gilchrist of Escanaba; eight grandchildren, Kelly (Ernesteen), Megan, Valerie, Eric, Acacia, Madelyn, Alexandra and Janet; one great-grandson, Kanaan; two brothers, Gary (Jeanne) Howard of Escanaba and Doug (Diana) Howard of Showlow, Ariz.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Carol Pflughoeft.
The family will receive friends on Monday, June 18 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Calvary Baptist Church in Escanaba. Funeral services will follow at 4 p.m. at the church with Pastor Jay Gilchrist and Pastor Brian Swillum.
A luncheon will be served immediately following services in the church fellowship hall. Lewis will be laid to rest in the Rapid River Cemetery.
The Howard family is being assisted the Skradski Family Funeral Home in Escanaba. For additional information or to leave the family a message of condolence, go to www.skradskifuneralhomes.com/.
