Oscar M. Howell Jr., 85, of Lebanon, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 5, 2023, at The Waters of Lebanon. He was born June 4, 1938, in St. Paul Minnesota. A son of the late Oscar and Helen (Petzke) Howell. He was a 1956 graduate of the Lower Division of Stockton Junior College, which at that time was the equivalent of the junior and senior years of high school, being located in Stockton California. During this time of his high school years, he was employed by Bank of America, under a school/work program, through the Stockton California Institution. Following school, he served his country honorably in the United States Army, in the countries of France, Germany, and later at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio Texas as a hospital bus driver and troop transporter for field maneuvers of both Army and Airforce personnel. Oscar was a duly authorized driver training instructor for both civilians and Army personnel during his tenure in the Military. On February 10, 1962, he was married to Alice May (Wilson) Howell in Stockton California. She passed away in 1988. Oscar shared 27 wonderful years with Alice. Then on February 8, 1990, Oscar married Marilyn Pat (Merrill) Howell. She passed away on August 1, 2018. He also shared 28 wonderful years with Marilyn. Oscar worked as a rural route mail carrier for the Lebanon post office for more than 31 years. He was the first Lebanon carrier to ever learn and deliver all 6 of the rural routes that were in existence at that time. He completed a million miles of accident-free driving and retired in 2010. In addition, he delivered the Lebanon Reporter, The Indianapolis News and Star for many years. He along with his first wife had the number one and two largest routes at that time. During retirement, Oscar corrected bible lessons and wrote letters to thousands of prisoners through the outreach of The Rock of Ages prison Ministry, covering all 50 states, including Guam. Oscar loved the Lord Jesus Christ, as his own personal Lord and Savior. He was a regular attendee of church for over 50 years, until his health intervened. Oscar’s greatest thrill was leading a college and career Sunday school class at Kessler Krest Baptist Church in Indianapolis. From one student to over 50 students in just a few years’ time. Oscar loved to travel. He and Marilyn visited 46 states, plus Canada and Mexico. Survivors include his two children, Cristine (Mitch) Jester of Lebanon, Stephen (Debbie) Howell of Indianapolis; stepson, David (Julie) Wingate of Indianapolis; 11 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; brother, Richard (Mary) Howell of Salem Oregon; and sisters Charlotte Cunningham of Lincoln, California, and Helen (Chet) Decker of Richland Center, Wisconsin. In addition to his parents and first and second wife, Oscar was preceded in death by his sons Daniel "Melvin" Howell and Timothy "Tim” Howell; daughter-in-law, Sandy Howell; sister, Corinne Willey; and brothers-in-law, Chet Decker and Gordon Cunningham. Funeral Services are planned for 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 10, 2023, at Myers Mortuary, 1502 North Lebanon Street, in Lebanon, Indiana. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the services. Interment will follow at Old Union Cemetery, rural Jamestown, Indiana. Memorials may be directed to the Lighthouse Baptist Church, 858 W 250 N, Lebanon, IN 46052.
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