Joseph Alan Howell (59) of Champaign, formerly of Effingham
Published on October 21 2019 8:50 am
Joseph Alan Howell retired to eternal life on Thursday, October 17th, 2019, after a valiant fight with ALS. There will be a visitation on Monday, Oct. 21 from 4-6 pm at Cornerstone Church, 702 E. Church St., Savoy. The funeral service will be on Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 12 (noon) at the church. Burial will immediately follow at Cerro Gordo Cemetery. Owens Funeral Home in Champaign is assisting the family with arrangements.
Joe was born to Robert & Mary Lou (Pummill) Howell, in Champaign on Dec. 28th, 1959. He graduated from Champaign Central High School and Parkland College. A true townie, he married his high school sweetheart, Denise (Christensen), in August of 1980. They had two children, Kati (Nathan) Turk, of Champaign and Joshua (Amanda) Howell, of Waukesha WI.
Joe worked tirelessly for IDOT for 37 years, all while a faithful disciple of Christ. He served as a deacon, teacher, and lay preacher over his lifetime; serving at Temple Baptist in Champaign, Calvary Baptist of Effingham, 1st Baptist Tolono, and Cornerstone Church in Savoy. A lover of knowledge, he spent his few free hours learning, painting, woodworking and gardening.
He is survived by his wife, children, mother, sister Amy (George) Fahey, and grandchildren Joseph Alan Valentine, Phineas Jude, Charlotte Eden, and Olive May.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Cornerstone Church, Savoy.