Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Howard, Archer "Arch" Leonard Jr. October 6, 2022
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Patricia Currigan currigan1932@concast.net October 4, 2023, 7:44 pm

Hasting's Reminder - Sat.October 15, 2022

                            ARCHER LEONARD HOWARD Jr.

Archer Leonard Howard Jr., age 75, of Woodland,MI, passed away on Thursday,Oct. 
6, 2022.

Archer was born January 13, 1947 to Archer and Crystal Jennie (Burke) Howard in 
Wilmette, IL. His older sister, Elaine, remained in Chicago when the family 
moved to Lake Odessa when Arch was a toddler, where his family owned and ran 
Martha's Candy.

Archer was in the first graduating class of Lakewood High School in 1965. He 
attended Western Michigan University for a short time before entering the U.S. 
Army. He served as a Sgt. in the 1st Infantry Division in Vietnam, 1968-1969.

He worked for E.W.Bliss manufacturing in Hastings for many years before retiring 
in 2009. He was known as the peacekeeper in the plant.Those who worked with 
Arch, or as he was called at the factory, Archie, will remember the smell of 
Winstons and Diet Pepsi.

His first wife was Choanne Thomas, with whom he had a son Kirk.

Arch met and married Janice Neitzke in 1975. Arch, determined to make the family 
complete, adopted Jan's three daughters. He was a loving father and care giver, 
a Mr.Fix-it, the one everyone called with any problems.

Arch and Jan loved to travel, having made it to all but five states, and all 
around the border, often traveling with Jan's brother Harold (Bud) Neitzke and 
wife Jeanne. They also camped and fished with friends at Nahma in the U.P. They 
just sold their "Happy Place" at Sandy Pines.

Arch alway seemed to find the good in everyone, was very even-tempered, and 
truly loved his family and the friends he worked with. To his grandchildren, he 
was the person they counted on.

Archer was predeceased by his parents; sister, Elaine Berlinski and her husband, 
Ben; nephews, Greg and Todd Neitzke and grandson, Christian Howard. He has now 
joined many of his yearly  Canadian fishing trip buddies.

Archer is survived by his loving wife, of 47 years, Jan; son, Kirk (Christian) 
Howard; daughter, leanne Kirchner, Stacie (Todd) White,Suzanne Howard; 
grandchildren, Brock (Syndi) Richmond, Alison (Jordan) Richmond Masur, Scott 
Jessica) Kirchner, Brandon Cheeseman, Sam Cheeseman, Margaret (John) Cheeseman, 
Margaret (John Guazhco) Rough, Amber Mc Clelland (Jason) Thompson, Jessica 
Cheeseman (Andrew) Mepham, great-grandchildren, Harold, Ellinor, Alden, Owen, 
Bentley, Oliver, Finley, Adalynn, Jason, Kale, Kourtney, Kitana, Mateo, Gabriel, 
Nolan;Sandra Berlinski (Steve)Howard; nephews,Mark Berlinski, Wayne (Ida) 
Neitzke and family; great-niece, Cassie Howard and brother-in-law, Harold "Bud" 
(Jennie) Neitzke, and many special friends.

According to Archer's wishes, there will be no service. As he wished, "Mexican 
Connexion" will provide a meal for family and friends, Friday, Oct.14 from 5 
until 8 p.m. at the Hughe House, 7766 Velte Rd.Lake Odessa, MI 48849.

In lieu of flowers or donation, the family request that those who are able make 
a donation to the American Red Cross. Blood or Platelets would be especially 
appreciated by the family.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.koopsfc.com for 
the Howard family.

Additional Comments:
U.S.Army-1st Infantry Div., 
Vietnam 1968-1969

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