Howard Thomas Farlow, 98, of Westville, entered eternal life at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, 2017, at Presence United Samaritans Medical Center in Danville.
Howard was born on August 13, 1918, in Salisbury, MD, the son of Harvey and Bertha (Holland) Farlow. On July 9, 1943, he married Elizabeth M. Zavestausky at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Westville. She preceded him in death on Nov. 14, 1989.
Survivors include his son, Thomas (Kathleen) Farlow of The Villages, FL; his daughter, Patricia (David) Prall of Westville; and grandchildren, Jennifer (Mick) McQueary, Sharon (Jeff) Collins, Thomas (Dawn) Prall, John and (Teresa) Prall.
He is further survived by great-grandchildren, Michael, Grace, Thomas, Dominick, Isaac, and Vincent. Howard is also survived by many nieces and nephews and a special sister-in-law, Alice Farlow.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his young son, George; and by his sisters, Florence and Doris, and by his brothers, Russell, Roland and William.
Howard served his country with honor during WWII in the CBI (China/Burma/India) Theater as well as serving on Tinian with the 40th Bomb Group. His squadron flew B-17s and B-29s. He was honorably discharged at the end of the war with the rank of Master Sergeant. He later served in the Korean War.
He worked for the United States Postal Service for 37 years, retiring as a Supervisor. He was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and as a member of NARFE, Howard held the office of president for many years. He had been a member of the Knights of Columbus since 1957 and very proud to be a 4th Degree Knight. He also served as a volunteer for Faith in Action South.
He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Westville. Howard’s heart belonged to his parish and St. Mary’s School. He served on the parish council for many years and was named to the first school commission and remained with the commission until the school closed. After donating 10,000 volunteer hours to the school, everyone simply stopped counting because they knew he would be there.
He enjoyed reading, attending family reunions, as well as the yearly gathering of his WWII comrades in the 58th Bomb Wing. Howard loved singing and poetry and could recite many poems from memory. Above all he loved his family.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the angels disguised as staff at Pleasant Meadows Senior Living for their wonderful care of Howard.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at 11:00 AM at St., Mary’s Catholic Church, 231 N State St, Westville. Fr. Sauppe will officiate. Howard will be laid to rest at Resurrection Cemetery, Danville. Military honors will be performed by the Westville American Legion Post #51 Honor Guard. Visitation will be Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at Sunset-Urbas Funeral Chapel, 414 S. State Street, Westville from 4-6 PM with honors by the Danville Knights of Columbus. Rosary will be held Tuesday at 3:30 PM prior to visitation at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Westville and to Schlarman Academy. |