Anita Howes

Anita I. Howes, age 96, formerly of Plainwell, MI passed away July 26, 2017 in Middleville, Michigan. She was born in Cairo, Illinois to John E. and Ora A. (Johnson) DeWees and spent her childhood in Anna, Illinois and Pontiac, Michigan, graduating from Pontiac High School in 1939. Anita married Jack A. Howes in October 1945, having corresponded with him during the war. He predeceased her in December 2006. Her brother Gerald DeWees passed away in 1978. Anita was a comptometer operator for General Motors during WWII. She worked for various counties early in her marriage and for the Kalamazoo Department of Social Services while her daughters were in high school and college. She served as a Brownie and Girl Scout leader and helped with 4H and Vacation Bible School. She made wonderful pies and would take them to Gun River Conservation Club potluck dinners. Anita and Jack enjoyed their cabin up north and going to auction sales. They often visited relatives on Sunday afternoons. Anita loved to read and, along with her mother, researched family history. She was a lifetime member of the ladies auxiliary of the VFW. Anita had a beautiful singing voice and played the trumpet when younger. She leaves her daughters with an appreciation for her resourcefulness and character. She will be greatly missed. Surviving are daughters Patricia (Dennis) Faist and Sharon (Jack) Page, grandchildren James Faist and Julia Faist, and great-grandson Easton Faist. The family would like to thank the staff at Carveth Village Assisted Living in Middleville for their devoted care of Anita. Funeral services will be held 12:00 noon, Monday, July 31, 2017 at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Augusta Chapel. with visitation from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Interment will be at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association.