Rachel Howard, 81, of Waggoner, died peacefully on Monday, April 7, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Toberman-Dean Funeral Home in Coffeen is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Howard was born on January 23, 1944, in Alton, the daughter of Joseph and Maxine Anderson. She graduated from Hillsboro High School class of 1964. She pursued a career in cosmetology, making her a third-generation hairdresser. She also was a health care worker.
She first married George “Karl” Edward Herder in 1966 and together they had two children, Alysia and Karl. They later divorced and Mrs. Howard moved back home to be closer to the family and raise her children.
In July of 1991, she married the love of her life James “Jim” Howard. They shared 34 years of marriage traveling all over the United States in their RV making friends and creating memories along the way. She loved the RV lifestyle and the stories they made along the way.
Mrs. Howard also enjoyed spending time birdwatching as well as loving on her furbabies. Her love for her family extended to the dinner table where she would make meals for all of them to enjoy and savor. She adored her family and was so happy to see them when she and Jim returned to Coffeen in 2017. Her family will forever miss the love she shared with them.
Mrs. Howard is survived by her children, Alysia “Lisa” (husband, Joe) McClelland of Waggoner and Karl (wife, Mary) Herder of Fairbury; grandchildren, Jessica and Maggie McClelland, Micheal (wife, Laura) Herder and Amber (Cori McManis) Herder; great-grandchild Amari Thomas; nieces and nephews, Stuart (Jenn Scherr) Danenberger and Stacy Danenberger; children, Michael and Mya Breckenridge, Angie Anderson and her son Hunter; Jennifer (husband, Mike) Greenburg and children, Ashley, Calleigh and Laela; Scott Anderson; the Howard family of Sue Howard and Brian Gray, Patricia “Pat” Howard, Allen “Frank” Howard and grandchildren, Eric, Jason, Nikki, Alex, Dillon and Shelby, as well as several great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Howard was preceded in death by her husband, Jim; parents; and siblings, Besty Anderson, Joellen (husband, Bud) Danenberger and Bill (wife, Bobbie) Anderson.
Condolences may be left online at www.basspattondeanfh.com.
