Obituaries
1
tree
planted in memory of Burnell Eugene Howlett
Obituary for Burnell Eugene Howlett
BURNELL EUGENE HOWLETT, 89, of Prophetstown, IL, died Monday, July 15, 2024, at Allure of Prophetstown.
A private graveside service will be held at the family’s convenience at Riverside Cemetery in Prophetstown with Rev. Chelsey Weech, Pastor at First Lutheran Church in Prophetstown, officiating. There will be no visitation. Cremation rites have been accorded. The Bosma-Gibson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. A memorial has been established to the First Lutheran Church.
Burnell was born June 30, 1935, in Portland Township, IL, to Leonard Klobus and Marguerite Alice (Morse) Howlett. He was educated in the Prophetstown Grade School and was a 1956 graduate of Prophetstown High School where he was awarded the Eclipse trophy as the most outstanding basketball player his senior year. After high school he was stationed in Germany while serving his country in the US Army. On September 23, 1960, he had the good fortune to marry Illene Margaret Becker in Prophetstown, IL, and they shared their lives for 62 years until Illene’s passing on December 9, 2022. Burnell learned carpentry courtesy of the Sutton Bros. which allowed him to build his own home where he then resided for 63 years. Leaving carpentry, he moved on to steelmaking where he worked his way up the ranks of the Northwestern Steel and Wire Co. finally retiring as a Superintendent after 28 years of loyal service. Finding he was not quite ready for retirement he joined his brother-in-law Melvin Becker’s business part time as an electrician’s helper. Together they found adventure for many years wiring up homes and farms all around the region. Later in life, he embraced the fellowship of the First Lutheran Church in Prophetstown where he and Illene regularly attended services. He was a man who enjoyed the finer things in life: watching a good bird dog work, skinning catfish, morel mushrooms, cutting his grass way too short, visiting with family and friends, telling a good story, and most importantly the love of his beautiful wife Illene. The important lessons he taught his children have guided them in life. He will be dearly missed by many and forever treasured by a few.
Survivors include one daughter, Debra (Scott) Riggen of Oregon City, OR; one son, David (Shannon) Howlett of Bennington, VT; two granddaughters, Morgan Illene (Ben Isenhart) Howlett of Portland, ME and Kira Ann Riggen of Oregon City, OR; two step grandchildren, Jason (Kate) Riggen of Wilsonville, OR and Lavender Riggen of Los Angeles, CA; two great-grandchildren, Kali and Vincent Wood, as well as many special nieces and nephews. Burnell and Illene were very fortunate to have caring neighbors who looked after them and treated them like family: Scott and Andrea Aman and Coach and Deb Robinson.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Illene; two sisters, Justine Swanson and Alverda Ploeckelman; and one brother, John Howlett, in infancy.
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Events
Event Information
Services are private.
Cemetery Details
Location
Riverside Cemetery (Prophetstown)
300 E. 3rd Street
Prophetstown, IL 61277
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