John E. Howden
June 12, 1964 ~ December 28, 2011
John E. Howden, 47, Mooresville, died December 28, 2011, in Methodist Hospital from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. John was born in New Albany, Indiana, on June 12, 1964.
He graduated from North Montgomery High School in 1982. He worked for 22 years for Nucor Steel in Crawfordsville and previously for the Indiana State Highway Department. John was a faithful member of The Church at Mt. Gilead, Mooresville. An avid family man, loving husband, and devoted father, John was active with the Mooresville baseball league as a coach and board member and the Indiana Bandits Baseball Club.
John was preceded in death by a son, Richie Howden.
Survivors include his wife, Margaret “Spootie” (McKeown) Howden, to whom he was united in marriage February 14, 1987; children, Ryan VanScoyoc (Brooke) of Crawfordsville, Riley Howden (Samantha Frye) of Mooresville, and Abby Howden of Mooresville; parents, Richard and Doralas (Suitors) Howden; sisters, Debra Vaught (Tom) and LaDawn Priebe (Kevin), both of Crawfordsville; one granddaughter, Skylar VanScoyoc.
The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m., Tuesday, January 3, 2012, in The Church at Mt. Gilead, 6019 East State Road 144, Mooresville, with calling there from 4 to 8 p.m., Monday, January 2, 2012. Rev. Jeff Faull will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Carlisle – Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, Mooresville. Visit www.carlislebranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.
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A TRUE LEADER/ROLE MODEL AT NUCOR STEEL! VERY VERY HARD WORKER.
John was truly one of the good guys. I was so sorry to hear of his passing and he will always be missed. My condolences to the entire Howden family.
All I can say is I will miss working with John …What a great joy it was working with him here on the Rairoad …I always could get him laughing with some of my off the wall comments and humor.
My heart is with the family, prayers are coming. Be strong, you can make through this, R.I.P. John
I was the maid of honor at Spootie and John’s wedding and never saw two people look so lovingly at each other as they did standing at the altar. May God wrap his arms around the family and help ease their pain. RIP John, thank you for enriching all the lives that you touched. ~Mary Jo Reed
SPOOTIE AND FAMILY, I WAS SO SADDENED TO READ ABOUT JOHN, WE NEVER KNOW WHAT THE LORD HAS IN STORE FOR US, MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND THE FAMILY AT THIS MOST DIFFICULT TIME. MANY BLESSSINGS, MABEL KNOX EVANS
So very sorry to hear of your loss. Please know our thoughts are with you all. Kendy Keller-Cummings and Family
We are so sorry to hear about your loss. Ihadnt seen John in a long time. He was a great guy. Bill worked with him at Nucor and thought alot of him .Thoughts and prayers are with you all. Bill and Judy Baker
Green grass and high tides forever, my friend.
Spootie, What tragic news. Our deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family. 🙁 John & Lori Frey
Our sympathies & prayers to the family of John. We hope soon, the pain of losing him will be replaced by only good memories. Sincerely, Mark & Vicki Hoffa
Dear Howden Family, Thoughts and prayers for you at this difficult time. John was a wonderful family man. God Bless . Sincerely, Ed Lisa Cameron and Kylee Rhodes
With deepest sympathies, May the loving peace of God surround your family. Remembering childhood memories….and grade school days!! Lee Ann Clore Noble
My deepest sympathies for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with John and your family. Heather Brandenburg
We want to express our deepest condolences for your loss! I still remember John refering fondly to Abby, Maddie and Katie as the ‘Neapolitin Gang’ and how much fun my kids had with Riley and Abby when they were little. We will continue to pray that you are finding peace and comfort in your faith, family and friends! Danny and Lisa Fisher
Spootie and family, I was shocked to hear of your loss. My heart aches for you. My thoughts and prayers will be with you through this sad time. With love, Pat Mitchell
Dear Spootie and family: So saddened about your loss. Your friends are sending you thoughts and prayers. My heart aches for all of you! Life is always tragic when a loved one is lost, but to happen so early in life and unexpected. Take care, much love, Lynn (Murray) Zimmerman
Several years ago, I had the privelege of spending time with John on the Mooresville baseball league board. John was a wonderful, enthusiastic volunteer who would do anything to help the league. On the field or in the dugout, he was a great motivator to the boys. To this day it brings a smile to my face when I think of John doing cartwheels on the field to celebrate a run. The world has lost a great guy! With condolences, Jeff, Linda, Ryan, Daniel Skora
Margret, Riley and family, It is with great sorrow that we send our condolences. Getting to know John through the DAAC baseball team was indeed a true joy of life. John always had a smile and kind word for me and I will always remember that, it made going to the games special. Our family will always cherish the memories of John supporting Cameron during his time at DAAC. May god take John into his kingdom and make him the manager of his team. God Bless Dallas, Cameron, Bryce and Deb Wilson
John was the kind of person everyone loved and admired, as a father, husband, friend. We will miss him and always remember him for the wonderful person he was.
Dear Spootie, Ryan, Brooke, Riley, Abby and Skylar, Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers and that we honor John’s memory. John was a very special man. He loved his family so much and it showed in all he did. I know you are very proud of him, know also that he will always be remembered for his caring ways, his easy going style, his love of sports and his kindness. With Love, Donna, Craig and the kids.
Margret and family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. Cameron Orbaugh and family
Dear Spootie and Family, Very saddened to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We will miss John’s passion for life! Love, Barry and Jodi Wiles
Spootie, John was like another younger brother growing up. I can’t think of a single childhood memory that doesn’t have him in it. He was so full of life and our thoughts and prayers are with you and your familiy during this difficult time. Wish we were there with you. Love Bobby and Jennie Cope and family Caruthersville, MO
Our deepest sympathies for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with John and your family. Dan & Anna Meece
I am so sorry for your loss , John was a good friend during the years we went to school together at north .. He will not be forgotten . Bob MUllen ..
Spootie and family, I am so sorry for your loss, please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, patty Kirts
I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with the Howden family. Deanna Dale McCool
Prayers to the Howden family during this difficult time. So terribly sorry for your loss. Darlisa Arnold Steele
Our fondest memory of John was when he did cartwheels. The boys were not playing well, and John wanted to get them motivated. John made a deal with the boys. Every time one of the boys got on base he would do a cartwheel. In one inning, John had to do six cartwheels. I don’t remember if we won, but we had a great time.
Toward the end of the game, every boy that scored a run, John would do a cartwheel. I think he had to do ten cartwheels. Ryan Skora.
Riley i so sorry My prayers are with you and your family
‘I went to middle school and high school with John. He was a great friend to me. I moved after graduation, but I would often think of him and I wish that I could have seen the great man that he became. I remember John always laughing and joking. John turned me on to Purdue (which I am still a fan) ! I am truly sorry to the family of John for their loss, and I wish them comfort during this time ‘ James McCabe, Dallas,TX
Spootie and Family, i cant tell you how sorry i am that John went home to be with the Lord. I have been blessed by knowing, and working with him in the past. John always put Family ahead of everything, and was looked up to by many, at how involved he was with all of you. He was a great man of integrity that never compromised his core values, a hard worker, and good leader. Even though we didnt see each other as much anymore, he always made me feel like it was only 5 minutes ago that we talked.He was an awesome person, and i am blessed to have been able to call him Friend, and will miss his smile. Ray Deckard
Always a good day when John was here. It was a privelage to be able to work with and get to know such a great man as John. I am glad have had him as a friend. Andy Newton
My prayers and thoughts go out to the howden family. He was a man who spoke what he thought, good or bad. Many people couldn’t handle the truth and he spoke it… He was passiontate about his family and his sports, we heard many storys… I have had many laughs with john, exspecially the band director joke (thanks phillpot for baiting the hook)… We have gave each other hard times only to laugh in the end. It was a great privelage to know john and work with him. You will be missed. Monte Fritzen
As a railroad contractor, I worked with John at Nucor for several years. We became great friends through the years. I am very sorry for your loss. John, you will missed and never be forgotten. Mike Jackson/Ameritrack Rail
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. We are so sorry for this tragic loss. From Gail Rogge Merriman and Family
Meeting John while he was with the Indiana Bandits was truely a gift. He was an exceptional man who really cared for his family and the players he coached. We are very blessed to have known him and had him in our lives if only for a short time. My family and I extend our thoughts, prayers and sympathies to the Howden Family on their loss. He will be missed, but not forgotten. Bruce Fenimore and Family Rushville, IN
Spootie, Ryan, Riley and Abby, I am truly sorry to hear of John’s passing. Your family has always been in my prayers for being such good friends and you will remain even closer in my heart and prayers because of this tragic loss. It meant a great deal to me that you and John invited me to your wedding and although we didn’t get to see each other that often it always brought great joy to me to visit or share the news of our families. Please take care and stay strong. I know your extended family and community will provide a great source of support because of the love they have for your family. And, if there is ever anything I can do for your family I will do all that I can. Mike Perkins
John will be missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. His contagious smile and laughter and warm giving heart will always be remembered.John’s enthusiasm, motivation and friendship has and always will be cherished by the Bandit players and families. My heart and soul goes out to you and your family for the tragic loss and pain you are enduring. Sincerely, Terra Bruggeman
We lost a great friend and the world lost a great person in John. I will always remember John as the first one to help out, and yet be the first one to share a story or joke. He was always full of energy and stood for what he believed in. The world would be a better place if there were more like him.
Spootie Ryan Riley and Abby Kathy and i were saddened to hear of John’s accident. I know you all will miss him greatly. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. I know you all have many good friends and a strong family that will be there for you.
As a classmate of John’s from the days of East Union thru North Montgomery, I would like to express our condolences to John’s family. Our hearts and prayers will be with you in this time of rememberance and celebration of John’s life. He will always be remembered by me as one of the good guys, with a passion sports. Especially Purdue Basketball.
As a friend and fellow teammate of John’s I was stunned to hear of his passing. Our condolences go out to his entire family. Some of my fondest memories of John are from when we either watched or went to see Purdue basketball games. I will never forget his enthusiasm for sports and his laughter. John was a big part of our tournament winning softball team. His competitive nature made him a good athlete and his heart made him a great person. He will be sorely missed.
I was shocked and saddened to hear of John’s passing. I remember him well from second grade when I was his teacher. He was a sweet little fellow with red hair. He often wore a striped shirt and so I nicknamed him ‘Tiger’. He grew up back in the ‘good ‘ole days when teachers could teach AND make school fun. I’m sure he will be greatly missed. Mrs. Debbie Howard