Dorothy Jane Howard

Dorothy Jane Howard, 89, of Battle Creek died Wednesday, June 17, 2020, of respiratory failure due to the corona virus. She was a resident at Calhoun County Medical Care Facility for the last 5 years with her husband, Ernie. Dorothy was born February 23, 1931 in Flint, Michigan to Leon Aitken and Della (Frost) Aitken. In 1939 they moved to Battle Creek to be near family. Dorothy was a 1949 graduate of Battle Creek Central High School. She was employed right out of high school as a secretary for several local Attorneys and eventually joined Kellogg Company in the Legal Department, finishing her career as a Paralegal. For many years she participated in Kellogg's Annual Stockholder Meeting as Secretary and Proxy Judge. In 1989, after 20 years with Kellogg's, she retired from the new Headquarters building downtown, to join Ernie in opening their own business, Howard's Appraisal Service.

She was united in marriage to Ernest J. Howard on January 14, 1951, at First United Methodist Church in Battle Creek, the same church where his parents were married in 1928. Dorothy knew Ernie from 7th grade on, fell in love with him after graduation, and the two had been inseparable until his passing on April 3, 2020, just 9 months shy of their 70th wedding anniversary

Surviving are her children, David B. Howard, Pastor Michael A. (Linda V.) Howard of Battle Creek, and Ann (Rick) Thorpe of The Villages, Fl.; daughter-in-law, Brenda Howard of Battle Creek; grandchildren, Joshua (Sarah) Howard, Daniel (Christine) Howard, Michelle (Matthew) Lake, Melinda Howard, Stefanie Howard, Kevin Howard, Greg Thorpe, Dawn (John) Dye, and Rick (Jenny) Thorpe; 24 great-grandchildren; nieces, Kathy (Jim) Rasch, and Mary Aitken; and cousin, Joyce (Herb) Oesterreich Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Richard (Ruth) Aitken; nephew, John Aitken; husband, Ernie; and two great-grandbabies.

Dorothy was a longtime member of Battle Creek Evangelical Friends Church. She enjoyed family gatherings, family camping, square dancing, UofM football games, reading books by the dozen, wintering in Lakeland, Florida, going to Detroit Tigers Spring Training games, playing Bridge, and playing the organ at Sanlan Ranch Campground. (She donated her own organ and shipped it down to Florida.) She loved to play and sing the old hymns. She thoroughly enjoyed traveling and going on cruises to Hawaii, Alaska, the Panama Canal, and the Caribbean. Especially memorable was being in London when Princess Diana was killed.

Dorothy dearly loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and jumped at the chance to see them. She always had a dog or two, but her Schnauzers were her favorites. She was a lifelong reader, family historian, and enjoyed documenting genealogy records. Dorothy will be always be remembered for her attention to detail (and spelling), love of gospel music, and beautiful snow-white hair.

Burial has already taken place. Due to the COVID-19 virus precautions, a joint Celebration of Life service for Dorothy and Ernie Howard will be held at a later date when it is safe for family and friends to be together. Memorial contributions for Dorothy Howard may be made to CityLinC Ministries, 70 Calhoun St, Battle Creek, MI 49017. Arrangements are by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com