Mary Jane Howard

Mary Jane Howard, 91, of Connersville, died Monday morning, August 18, 2014, at Fayette Regional Hospital. Mary Jane was a native of Knox County, born October 30, 1922 to Royse E. and Mary Ida Stewart Curry and was a graduate of St. Peters Lutheran School, Purcell, Indiana. As a young girl, she played the role of a cowgirl on WAOV in Vincennes. She also played the guitar and performed at local events and fairs with her brother. On December 7, 1941, she was married at St. Peters Lutheran Church to Stanley R. Howard, Sr. who died October 26, 1999. She made all of her children’s clothing and loved to piece quilts. Mary Jane was an avid gardener and enjoyed home canning. She was very dedicated to her family and her church, Bethany Lutheran, and taught Sunday School there for many years. In her leisure time, she enjoyed crafts, crocheting, crossword puzzles and NASCAR racing. Mary Jane is survived by her sons and their wives: Rev. Don and Candace Howard of Lawton, OK; Stan, Jr. and Linda Howard of Connersville; nineteen grandchildren, thirty-three great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Mary Jane was preceded in death by her husband of over 57 years; her daughters: Marilyn Workman and Sandy Cooper; six brothers and three sisters. A Service of Praise and Thanksgiving will be conducted by Rev. Gene Ott of the Bethany Lutheran Church at 2 p.m. Friday at Showalter Blackwell Long Funeral Home, Myers Chapel, Connersville. Interment will follow in Orange Cemetery. Friends may visit at the funeral home from 12 noon Friday until the time of service where memorial contributions may be made to the Bethany Lutheran Church. For additional information and to send condolences or memories, go to www.ShowalterBlackwellLong.com.