Jeanne Ruth (Marshall) Howard, 78, of Evansville, passed away Wednesday June 29, 2011, at her home and in the company of loved ones.

Mrs. Howard lived in Evansville her entire life with the exception of a brief time living in Mobile, AL and Southern Texas. As a newlywed, she traveled with her husband, Bobby Howard, to the Southern US during the startup of the first of many construction and home improvement family owned businesses.

Mrs. Howard was a graduate of Bosse High School (Class of 1942) and Lockyear Business School. Her career included work as a legal assistant before she became a housewife raising her two sons, Robert and Anthony. She spent several years working in the food service department with Deaconess Hospital before becoming a nanny for a select group of families in Evansville. Her years as a nanny were her most favorite and rewarding.

She was a friend and second mother to many. Our home was open to everyone and her laughter and kind spirit touched us all.

Mrs. Howard was a dedicated fan of NBA basketball for the past 32 years - originating with her favorite basketball player, Larry Bird. Her favorite basketball coach remains Coach Bobby Knight.

She is survived by her son, Robert Howard and loving daughter-in-law, Sara Harrison Howard, residing in Nyon, Switzerland and only grandchild, Anthony Howard, a second year student of Thomas Cooley Law School in Grand Rapids, MI. She is also survived by her favorite pet - friend, Mr. Fritter, Cairn Terrier, who is kept by his owners in Switzerland; sister, Betty Gardner; nephews, Bill Gardner and Fred Howard; sister-in-law, Mary Jane Rhodes; and nieces, Karyn Howard, Carol Compton and Sherri Howard, all of Evansville.

Mrs. Howard was preceded in death by her husband, Bobby Howard, in 1965; her father, James "Bud" Marshall, in 1965; her youngest son, Anthony Howard, in 1981; her mother, Edna Marshall, in 2002; step-father, Wilbur Garman, in 2003; and her sister, Jackie Reierson, in 2008.

We celebrate her life and will miss her deeply but find solace in knowing that she accepted Christ as her lord and savior.

Services will be 1:00 PM Sunday, July 3, 2011, at Alexander East Chapel, officiated by Rev. Jeff Stratton, with burial in Park Lawn Cemetery.

The family would like to thank Dr. Hardesty and family for their kindness and charity.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers to instead please make contributions to the Evansville Christian Life Center.

June 30, 2011
Jeanne was a great lady, who I had enormous respect for. My best memory about Jeanne, is that she always treated me with kindness and respect. You will be missed. God Bless.
Tom Maxfield (Gass), Seven Fields, Pennsylvania

June 30, 2011
I am not sure where to start with this wonderful woman. Some of my VERY best life memories where at the household of Jeanne and spending time with her and her two fine sons. I met her in the 5th grade and her kindness always made you feel as though you were at home with their family. Oatmeal raisin bars were hard to keep in their house when I came calling, but Jeanne was very gracious to allow me the pleasure. Truly a gift to all the kids that grew up knowing her. What a funny, loving, caring, and interesting lady. I love you Jeanne, and will always remember you. Please tell one of my best friends in the world, your fine son Tony, that I will see you both in due time. God Bless you!!!!!!
Tony Hall, Evansville, Indiana

June 30, 2011
Memories of Jeannie are so many and wonderful. She always had a welcoming smile and a house of laughter combined with a lightening quick temper. Her Sunday dinners with Swiss Steak and mashed potatos were "the best ever" but she didn't want to sit and eat but stand and watch everyone else enjoy it. Laughter filled Holidays at Web & Edna's with the parakeets and everyone just stopping by her place to sit and talk and get advice. We all visited with her as much as we did with Rob and Tony. She loved her boys more than life, had a heart of gold, a smile of sunshine, and will be greatly missed.
Love you always, Janie Bell ~ Jane, Mallorie & Jenna Laib, Evansville, Indiana

July 02, 2011
She was my Grandmother and friend. Many late nights during my college days were spent sitting in a dark living room talking about life and laughing till our stomachs hurt. My Grandmother was a great lady. She was strong. She would tell you what was on her mind. You knew you could go to here with anything and she would accept you with an open heart.
This is not a time to mourn as much as it is a time to rejoice the fact that heaven has gotten one of its angels back.
I love you Grandma Jeanne.

July 02, 2011
As a friend of her grandson Tony's, I have fond memories of Jeanne, as she would often invite us in to talk with her. My wife, Dana, and I would always get a kick out of hearing stories and learning about the different things she enjoyed to do. Tony really appreciated his Grandma Jeanne and he told me that he had a really good conversation with her the night before she passed. We are glad to hear that she accepted Christ, this is the most important aspect and should be celebrated! We hope the best for the family at this time.
Sean Selby, Evansville, Indiana

July 02, 2011
Jeanne, you will be missed. I adopted Jeanne when we met after her surgery. I will miss my phone calls with her where she always had a smile and a laugh for me.
Joseph Mulroy, Evansville

July 03, 2011
I have many fond memories of sitting around the kitchen table talking with Jeanne. She always welcomed me into her home and would listen to my many teenage ramblings, offering solid advice and ending our conversation with laughter. I wish I had taken the time to stay close with Jeanne, she was a great person. And to Rob, it was great to see you and know that things in your life are going well. God be with you and your family.
Debby (Jacobi) McGennis, Evansville, Indiana