Thomas Lee Howard

Thomas Lee Howard, 77 of Vandalia, MI, passed away at 3:30 p.m. on June 25, 2016, at Vandalia, Michigan. He was born August 25, 1938, in Elkhart, Indiana, to Herbert H. and Doris J. (Rule) Howard.

Thomas graduated from Elkhart High School. After serving four years in the U.S. Air Force, Thomas attended Western Michigan University. He was an employee of CTS Corporation, from 1965 until his death. Tom was an avid sailor and long time member of the Birch Lake Yacht Club. He also enjoyed travel and golf.

He married Colleen Farrell Garoutte November 3, 2000, in Cassopolis, Michigan, who preceded him in death August 2014. Also preceding him in death was a daughter, Jennifer L. Day Garner of Springfield, MO.
He is survived by his brother James (Sue) Howard of Vandalia, MI; son Jeffrey Howard of Lafayette, IN; daughters, Jane Garoutte of Elkhart, IN; Joan Price of Constantine, MI; and Tammy Hanstine of Three Rivers, MI. Also surviving are grandchildren: Jennifer (Rory) Long of Vandalia, MI; Garth Hanstine of Kalamazoo, MI; Julia Hanstine, of Glendale, AZ and Jessie Hanstine, of Marcellus, MI and Kevin Day of Springfield, MO; Scott Day Wildwood, FL. He also leaves behind five great-grandsons, a niece and two nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, July 1, 2016, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Cass County Conservation Club, at 13710 US-12, Union, MI. Memorial donations may be sent to the C.C.C.C. at the above address.

Full obituary may be found and condolences left at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com. Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, Elkhart is entrusted with his care.