More detail on this person: Melvin C. Howell,
75, of Evansville, Indiana, passed away on Monday,
March 17, 2014, at his home.
Melvin was born on September 21, 1938, in
Evansville, Indiana. He attended Culver Grade
School and Bosse High School. Melvin married
Thelma Tremper on Christmas Eve 1957. They
immediately left for Rhode Island where Melvin was
stationed in the United States Navy. While
stationed in Rhode Island, their son, Randy was
born. Melvin was then based in Argentina,
Newfoundland, followed by Pensacola, Florida and
then San Diego, California.
While stationed in Pensacola, he received the rank
of First Class Chief Petty Officer and was
featured on the front page of (All Hands) Naval
magazine stating he was the youngest First Class
Chief Petty Officer in the United States Navy.
While serving as a helicopter pilot on the U.S.S.
Hornet during the Vietnam war, he received the
distinguished Flying Cross for a rescue mission in
North Vietnam. While in San Diego, he and Thelma
had the privilege to attend dinner with Elmo
Zamwault, the Chief of Naval Operations. Melvin
retired after 20 years in the Navy as a Lieutenant
Commander. He returned home to Evansville,
Indiana, and was employed at United States Postal
Service as a letter carrier.
After retirement, Melvin became a dedicated
member of Germania Maennerchor. He was a past
officer and on numerous committees. He spent
most of his time there with his friends. He was a
member of the Germania Maennerchor choir and
enjoyed singing at different activities and
churches and nursing homes. He also played in the
Rhein Valley Brass. Melvin was a very talented
person and excelled in all his endeavors. He
played the trumpet, sang and painted. He always
wanted to help those in need. He was an avid
reader, his favorite book was Invitation to
Valhalla and favorite movie was Anne of Green
Gables.
Besides the different states where they resided,
he and his wife, Thelma, enjoyed traveling to
Hawaii, Japan, Hong Kong, Mexico and Jamaica.
Melvin was also a member of the VFW Denby Post
#2953, HA (L) 3 U.S. Navy Sea Wolves, U.S. Navy
BINH THUY RVN, German American Gesangverein.
Melvin is survived by his sister, Linda Bond, and
her son, Patrick and her daughters, Jamie and
Nicole; sisters-in-law, Beatrice Gulledge (Bob),
of Evansville, IN, and Mary Tremper, of
Evansville, IN; nephews, Robert Gulledge Jr., of
Evansville, IN, and Jonathon Tremper, of
Evansville, IN; niece, Kelly Kissell (Dan), of
Evansville, IN; great-nephews, Andrew Kissel and
Rob Gulledge III; great-niece, Darby Kissell; and
many cousins.
Melvin is preceded in death by his parents, Anna
Louise (Poer) and Clay Howell; his wife, Thelma
(Tremper) Howell, in June 2004; his son, Randall
in July 2003; and his brother, Kenneth Clay
Howell.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on
Monday, March 24, 2014, at Browning Funeral
Home, 738 E. Diamond Ave., Evansville, IN 47711,
with Rev. Steve Clayton officiating. Entombment
will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery where the
Retired Veterans Memorial Club will perform
military rites.
Friends may visit from 2 until 6 p.m. Sunday,
March 23, 2014, at Browning Funeral Home and
again from 10 a.m. until time of service on
Monday.
Memorial contributions may be made to the
Vanderburgh Humane Society, P.O. Box 6711,
Evansville, IN 47719, Germania Maennerchor, 916
North Fulton Ave., Evansville, IN 47710 or Holly's
House, P.O. Box 4125, Evansville, IN 47724.
Condolences may be made online at
http://www.browningfuneral.com/
Published in Courier Press on Mar. 21, 2014
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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