Loren Franklin "Frank" Howell Jr

Loren Franklin 'Frank' Howell, Jr of Peru and formerly of Wingate/Montgomery County, passed away at 12:10 AM Wednesday, November 26, 2025 in Trustbridge - Jupiter Pavilion Care Center, in Jupiter, FL. He had suffered a major cardiac event a week prior. Frank was born in Montgomery County February 21, 1945 son of the late Loren Franklin Sr. and Mildred Hunt Howell. On July 1, 1967 he married Joyce Smith in Santa Barbara, CA and she preceded him in death March 13, 2014.

Frank was a 1964 graduate of Waveland High School then served with the U.S. Air Force 1964-1968. He was proud to have been a Master Chief Crew Mechanic on Air Force helicopters. Frank farmed for a few years before becoming a locomotive engineer and retiring after 34 years from Norfolk Southern. Frank attended an auctioneer academy and was a licensed auctioneer 1985-2015. He had been a volunteer driver for EMS and enjoyed golf and farming.

Never one to be idle or sit still, Frank had an entrepreneur's spirit who relished a challenge and always had numerous projects going. He established Waveland Cap, a manufacturer of pick-up truck toppers, and operated a dump truck service in Wingate. He had a passion for automobiles and never owned one car for too long. He taught his children to drive a stick shift and the value of good reliable transportation. It was joked Frank would rather trade cars than change the oil. Frank's ever-present smile will be missed as well as his quick wit and sense of humor he possessed until the end.

Frank is survived by two daughters: Teresa (Doug) Williams of Milford, OH and Mindy (Chad) Eddy of Dawson, IL. Two sons: Tony (Laurie) Howell of Crawfordsville and Jeff (Rayla Shelleen) Howell of Peru. A brother Jack (Sue) Howell of New Market, thirteen grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren, brother-in-law Don Smith of Veedersburg, two sisters-in-law; Janice Moffit of Kingman and Marian Smith of Indianapolis. He was also survived by many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Joyce, parents, brothers; Richard Howell, Tom and his wife Sharon Howell, Danny and his wife Maryann, sister, Linda (Carol) Jones and infant sister Sandra, father/mother-law Russel and Betty Smith, brother-in-law Wendell Glen Smith.

Visitation hours are 4:00 – 7:00 PM Thursday, December 4, 2025 at Family and Friends Funeral Home of Wingate with funeral services 11:00 AM Friday, December 5, 2025 at the funeral home with Pastor Tony Raley officiating. Burial will follow in Wallace Lutheran Cemetery. Memorial contributions are preferred to American Heart Association. Visit us online at www.familyandfriendsfh.com to sign the guest book or share a memory.