Howard R. Ginter

Howard R. Ginter, 98 of Richland, died peacefully on April 7, 2024.  Howard was born August 17, 1925 in Harvey, IL to John and Frieda (DeWitz) Ginter.  He honorably served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII and then attended and graduated from Cornell College in 1949.   After college Howard worked in the paper industry.  He started at KVP Sutherland, then worked for Brown Company.  The last 13 years of his working career was spent in Berlin, New Hampshire working for James River, where he retired from in 1986.  Howard and his wife, Shirley, then moved back to the Kalamazoo area. 

Howard was an avid woodworker, making clocks, tables and furniture sets to give away to the people he loved.  He loved being outdoors and instilled a love of nature in all his children.  He treasured his time harvesting wood and just walking around his 100-acre woods in Michigan.  He loved sitting on his patio, enjoying his glass of wine or whiskey and feeding and watching the birds.  He cherished his friends, especially Bob Duncan, whom he met for lunch every Tuesday.   His friends and neighbors, Dick and Linda Bielby, watched out for and cared for Howard for many years.  

Howard is survived by his children, Jeffrey (Patricia) Ginter, John (Hilda) Ginter and Karen (Jim) Glaeser; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.  

Howard married the former Shirley Bommerschiem on September 15, 1951.  She sadly preceded him in death in 2013.  He was also preceded in death by his parents and a daughter-in-law, Joanne Ginter.  

Howard’s family would like to send a sincere thank you to the staff at Butterfly Oasis in Kalamazoo for taking tremendous care of him over the last 3 years of his life.  

Cremation has taken place and a private interment will be held at Fort Custer National Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Howard may be made to the Joseph B. Westnedge American Legion Post #36, 1920 E. Kilgore Rd., Portage, MI 49002, or visit www.milegionpost36.org.  Arrangements by the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel.  Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.