Howard Cosyns

1921 - 2015

Cosyns, Howard L."Howie", age 93, of Tucson, AZ, Sanibel, FL (1985-2003), and Naperville, IL (1947-1985) passed away peacefully on March 17, 2015. He was born on October 6, 1921, to the late Charles and Harriett (Porter) Cosyns in Hillside, IL. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Bonnie Lou (Choyce) Cosyns in 1983. Howie graduated from Glenbard High School, Glen Ellyn, IL in 1939. He served from 1942-1945 as a fighter pilot in World War II flying 124 combat missions in the South Pacific in a P-47 Thunderbolt. He was awarded five Air Medals. After his military career, Howie attended North Central College in Naperville, IL where he earned his B.A. degree. He joined Sears, Roebuck and Co. where he worked for 33 years, retiring as National Director of Fixture Development. Howie devoted much of his life to a wide range of volunteer service. He was a founding member of the Naperville Heritage Society and played a major role in the development of Naper Settlement. He devoted his time to the Sanibel Historical Museum and Village, the Sanibel Library, and most recently, spent eleven years and 2,681 hours of service as a docent at the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson. He was passionate about Italian opera, antique furniture restoration, historic preservation, Eagle scouting and travel. Howie is survived by his wife Pauline "Polly", sons Peter (Dinny) of Highland Park, IL and Kirby of Longmont, CO, daughter Christine Krejci of Indianapolis, IN, his sister Elodie Anderson of Fullerton, CA and six grandchildren: Ryan Cosyns (Melissa), Matthew Krejci (Patricia), Michael Krejci, Charles Cosyns (Kathleen), Ross Cosyns, and Bonnie Cosyns Voss (Joseph), and five great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on May 9, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. at Century Memorial Chapel on the grounds of Naper Settlement. Memorial contributions may be made to the Pima Air & Space Museum, 6000 East Valencia, Tucson, AZ 85756 or Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville, IL 60540.