Rick E. HOWELL

HOWELL Rick E. Rick E. Howell, 58, of LaSalle, Michigan, died Tuesday, March 29, 2011, in Monroe from injuries he received while attempting to successfully divert his crippled private aircraft from crashing into a crowd of several children playing at Munson Park in Monroe. This heroic and unselfish act may have cost him his life. Rick was the son to Earl J. Howell and Violet M. Howell born April 8, 1952, in Port Clinton, Ohio. He married Shirley Keys December 8, 1984, in Monroe, Michigan. A loving Husband, Dad, Brother, Papa, Uncle and friend, Rick "never met a stranger". He was President and CEO of Conforming Matrix since 1994, a member of Monroe County Golf and Country Club, Arthur Daly Post 334, Grand Lodge Free & Accepted Masons of Michigan, National Football Foundation. He also served on the Board of Northwest Ohio Area Industries Pension fund and was a Monroe County Sheriff Special Deputy. Rick was also owner of R&S Holdings, LTD (Rick& Shirley), Triple F Aviation (Flying For Fun) and RTF Aviation (Rent To Fly). Rick is survived by his wife, Shirley of 26 years; 3 sons, Chris (Tina) Howell, Ricky Howell and Ron (Tracey) Riehle; 2 daughters, Richelle (Craig) Groesbeck and Tracy (Derek) Bowman; 1 sister, Vicky (James) Patchen; 2 brothers, Russ (Joann) Merrihew and Randy (Marilyn) Howell; 2 half sisters, Tonya Mitchell and Annette Winkler; 10 grandchildren, Kelle, Josh, Jake, Reagan, Caden, Keith, Britany, Alyssa, Blade and Ryleigh, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Violet Howell and a brother, David. Visitation will be Saturday, April 2, from 4:00pm to 8:00pm and Sunday, April 3, from 1:00pm to 8:00pm at Bennett Funeral Service of Monroe. Funeral services will be on Monday April 4, 2011, at the Monroe Missionary Baptist Church, with Rev. Roy Southerland officiating. Any charitable contributions should be made to St. Jude's Hospital or Motts Children's Hospital.