Howard Hughes

Hughes, Howard Thomas Howard Thomas Hughes, 93, died at home on February 19, 2012, several days after a diagnosis of Burkitts leukemia. He was born at Copley Hospital in Aurora, Illinois, on July 13, 1918, to Edna L. (James) Hughes and Roderick P. Hughes, and he was a life- long Aurora resident. He graduated from West Aurora High School in 1936 and also from Metropolitan Business College. He was employed by Miller Bryant, Thor Power Tool Company, and Aurora Public School District # 129. He served in the US Army Air Corps for 3 1/2 years in the North African and Italian campaigns during World War II. He is survived by his beloved wife of over 65 years, Ida Laurene (Chally) Hughes, as well as a daughter, Laurene (Colin) Church of Bethesda, MD, and a son, David (Donna) Hughes of Aurora, a grandson, Bradley Hughes of Chicago, IL, and a granddaughter, Megan Hughes, of Forest Hills, NY. He was predeceased by his parents and two sisters, Mildred Fitzgibbon and Elinor Bollow. Howard was a gentle, unassuming soul with a kind word for everyone he met. He had a ready smile, twinkling blue eyes and a wry wit. His wife Ida was the love of his life. He was a devoted father and grandfather. He had a passion for animals- dogs especially. He rescued a succession of very lucky beagles over the years and indulged them with too many treats. Several times daily man and dog could be seen taking their constitutional through the neighborhood, with Howard sporting his trademark World War II Veteran baseball cap and white tennis shoes. In his typical understated way, he was very proud of his military service. Over the years he attended many reunions with his buddies from the Army Air Corps. He took an emotional trip with his son David in 2010 through the Honor Flight program to see the new WW II Memorial in Washington, DC. He was a rabid sports fan and attended the West High football and basketball games until the last year of his life. He remained ever- hopeful that he would live long enough to see his beloved Cubs win the World Series. As a boy he played the drums; later he attended as many drum and bugle corps events as possible. True to his Welsh heritage, he had a rich baritone voice. He was a regular at the Sandwich Fair and the Big Rock Plowing Match. He and his wife lived in the same house for 63 years and enjoyed their role as surrogate grandparents of their neighborhood over several generations. He was an orderly, even fastidious person, who was often seen tidying up in parks and other public places. As a child of the Great Depression, he was personally quite frugal, but very generous to others, especially to those less fortunate. Even into his 90's he was intrepid with his snow blower, cranking it up to clear the neighbors' walks as well as his own. He was an avid gardener at home and at church. For 16 years he collected and delivered flowers for the church service. He will be dearly missed by everyone fortunate enough to be touched by his life. A memorial service will be held at 11:30 am on Saturday, Feb. 25 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, 1233 Douglas Road, Montgomery, IL 60538. Arrangements are pending for a private burial service to be held in West Lisbon Lutheran Church Cemetery at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorial gifts be made to St. Olaf Lutheran Church (see above address) or to a charity of their choice.