Howard L. Sims

PANA - Howard L. Sims, 78, of Pana died Saturday (May 8, 2004). Services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday in First United Pentecostal Church, Pana, with the Rev. Robert Russell officiating. Visitation will be 2 to 4 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. Monday and one hour before services, all in the church. Burial will be in Price Cemetery, Oconee, with military rites by Roy Ireland American Legion Post 317, Oconee. McCracken-Dean Funeral Home, Pana, is in charge of arrangements. Memorials: First United Pentecostal Church. Howard was born May 6, 1926, in Tower Hill, the son of Howard W. and Geneva Haverstock Sims. He was appointed chief of police in Pana on July 1, 1971, and served until Aug. 31, 1975, when he joined the Christian County Sheriff's Office as a deputy sheriff. He retired Jan. 31, 1993. He came out of retirement Dec. 1, 1998, at the request of Sheriff Bob Kindermann, to be the chief deputy. He stayed in this position until March 31, 2000. He was a member of VFW Post 4431, Pana, charter and life member of Amvets Post 44, Pana, and member of Roy Ireland American Legion Post 317. Howard was a charter member of First United Pentecostal Church. He played a big part in the building of all the buildings owned by the church, but the greatest calling he had stated was being a child of God. He has a great reward waiting for him in Heaven. He joined the Marines in 1944 during World War II and was discharged in 1946. He was in the reserves until he was recalled into active duty during the Korean War on Feb. 2, 1951, and served as a drill instructor until he was discharged Feb. 2, 1952. He married Myrtle L. Denton on May 9, 1947, in Pana. Surviving are his wife; sons, Larry Sims and wife Cheryl of Pleasant Plains; Randy Sims and wife Annette of Oconee; Greg Sims and wife Lisa of Taylorville; Brad Sims and wife Sharon of Pana; Tim Sims and wife Lisa of Bridgeton, Mo.; 17 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; brothers, Lyle Sims and the Rev. Dale Sims, both of Pana; sisters, Ida Mae Bland and Geneva Denton, both of Pana; Eula Suey of Beatrice, Neb. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Gary Leon Sims; brothers, Harold Sims and Marvin Sims; and sister, Judy Sims.