Ethel Howell

Ethel Reber Howell, 93, died Monday evening, April 27, 2015, at the home of her son, in Exeter Township. She had resided in West Reading from 1950 until 2011.

She was the widow of Clarence Somers Howell, who died October 3, 1987. Born in Reading on June 5, 1921, she was the daughter of William E. and Rebecca (Reber) Stubblebine.

She graduated from Reading High School in 1938 and from McCann's School of Business in 1940.

She was the office manager for Reading Hardware Company, R.M. Palmer Company, Berklan Roofing & Sheet Metal Company and later American Polarizers, Inc.

She enjoyed baking, knitting, crocheting, needlepoint and quilting. She spent many happy hours on her computers and I-pad. She had a lifelong love of learning, particularly in study of the Bible. Her Christian faith was central to her life. Her greatest joy in life was sharing that faith with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was a lifelong and active member of First E.C. Church in Reading. She taught Sunday School for many years and was the treasurer and later president of the missionary society and governing board. She had a strong interest in missions and traveled to Africa, Indonesia, Japan and Europe to visit and encourage missionaries. After First Church closed, she joined Zion E.C. Church in Mohnton.

She is survived by her sons Dennis S. Howell and wife Debbie, of Olathe, Kansas, Dr. Richard R. Howell and wife Janet, of Florence, South Carolina, and Jeffrey J. Howell, of Exeter Township, with whom she resided.

She also is survived by grandchildren Rebecca Warren, and husband Rev. Scott Warren, of Lumberton, New Jersey, Sarah Watts, and husband Justin Watts, of Overland Park, Kansas, Matthew Howell of Dilley, Texas, David Howell and fiancée Sheyla Wulf, of McMinnville, Oregon, Rev. Richard Howell, Jr. and wife Shawn, of Rock Hill, South Carolina, and Dana Howell, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

She also is survived by great-grandchildren Abigail, Jedidiah, Micah, Elizabeth, Naomi, Joshua, Reber and Ethan.

She also is survived by her sister Mildred Loeper and husband Edward Loeper of Shillington. Another sister, Helen Rupp, died April 24.

She also is survived by special great-niece Robin Daub and husband Darren of Shoemakersville and special friends Suzanne Myers and husband Jamie of Muhlenberg Township.

She was predeceased by brothers Edgar, Raymond, Harvey, Stuart and Warren, and sisters Dorothy, Naomi, Margaret and Miriam and favorite nephew Charles Fisher, Jr.

The family thanks Dr. Simi Rai and the staff at the Reading Hospital McGlinn Cancer Center for their dedication, care and encouragement for the past four years.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 2nd, 2015, at 1:00 p.m. in Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Avenue, West Reading, PA 19611. Friends may call from noon until the time of service. Burial will be in St. Thomas Cemetery, Bernville.

Contributions in her memory may be sent to Zion E. C. Church, 57 North Church Street, Mohnton PA 19540. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com