John Richard Howard, age 85, of White Lake, South Dakota passed away Sunday, October 13, 2019 at Aurora-Brule Nursing home in White Lake. A funeral service will be 10:30 AM Thursday, October 17, 2019 at Will Funeral Chapel.  Visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a 6:30 prayer service Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at Will Funeral Chapel.

John was born January 1, 1934 to Paul Howard and Mary Alt Howard Blangeard in Gann Valley South Dakota. He graduated from Mt. Vernon High School in 1952.  John was united in marriage to Wilma LaVonne Deinert on November 7, 1953 and to this union six children were born.

John was employed at Dakota Manufacturing, Fullerton Lumber, Wermers Feed and Seed, Titze Bulk and Violet's One Stop; he also did carpentry work. John was a lifetime member of the Moose Lodge, as well as a member of the Sportsman's Club, and a member of the Mount Vernon Fire Department. He was a resident of Aurora-Brule Nursing Home for 23 years and will be greatly missed by all the staff.

Grateful for having shared his life are his children, Jeffrey (Judee) Howard of Sioux Falls, SD, Beverly (Tom) Seip of Mesa, Az, Darla Howard of Punta Gorda, FL, Paula ( special friend Kevin) Thomas of Armour, SD, Tammy (Vernon) Heidinger of Plankinton, SD, 17 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, step grandchildren and step great grandchildren, his mother in law, Ruth Deinert, 7 brother in laws and their families, sister, Mary Gene Jirsa of Highmore, SD, brother, George "Bill" Howard of San Jose, CA, sister, Fay Day of Boise, ID, sister, Lora "Lolly"(David) Thomas of West Hills, CA and son in law, Don (Connie) Sonne.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Wilma (1972), daughter, Barbara Sonne (1997), his parents, grandparents, one great grandson, three sisters, six brothers, and his in laws, Herman (Addie Dryer) Deinert.