More detail on this person: Howard Deane, 93, of Auburn, Alabama, passed away on September 28, 2023. He was born in 1930, to Howard and Rose Deane, in Hackensack, New Jersey. Howard graduated from the Aquinas Institute of Rochester and earned a Degree in Philosophy from St. Bonaventure University. After graduation, he served in the Army National Guard and worked for the Lily Paper Company and the Ford Motor Company. He and his wife, Joan Oberlies, were married in Rochester, New York in 1956, and together, raised five children. The family accompanied him to posts across the United States, from New York Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado and California; and from Korea and Japan to Germany. He also led the family on many expeditions to neighboring countries. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, as well as by his parents; and sister. He is survived by his son, Robert Deane; and four daughters, Joan Deane, Nancy Williams and her husband, Clif, Pamela Romines and her husband, Robert, and Mary Toombs and her partner, Greg Miller; grandchildren, Elizabeth Tullis, Matthew Morin, Erin Guellette, Colin Williams, Nick Williams, Ryan Williams, Kyle Romines, Megan White, Allie Romines, Burns Romines and Ellis Toombs; eight great-grandchildren; and his beloved sister's son, Paul Redfield, and daughters, Mary Lucht, Peggy Gandell, Patty Maxwell, and Joanie Shares, and their children. Howard enjoyed a 20-year aviation career as a U.S. Army Officer, flying rotary and fixed wing aircraft. He also served two tours in Vietnam where he was a member of the "Little Bears" of the 25th ID Aviation Unit and later the 114th, the highly decorated 'Knights of the Air.' Over the course of his career, he received the Legion of Meritt, the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronz Star, two Purple Hearts, an Army commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Vietnamese Cross for Gallantry. Following his retirement from the U.S. Army Agency for Aviation Safety at Fort Rucker, Alabama, he worked for Diversified Products in Opelika, Alabama. Howard grew up with the experiences of World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, the first Gulf War. He was an avid reader and student of politics, he had a sharp sense of humor and was deeply loyal to his friends, family, and fellow soldiers. He fully embraced his passion for golf in retirement and raised a couple of Bassett Hounds each named Buddy. He will be remembered for his dedication and love of his family. A funeral Mass will be held at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 1100 North College St., at 11 a.m., on Friday, October 6. Before the Mass, visitation will be held from 10 until 11 a.m. Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home is directing the burial at the Town Creek Cemetery. Afterward, lunch will be served at St. Michael's. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to St. Michael's. Published by The Opelika-Auburn News on Oct. 3, 2023.
Burial information: Town Creek Cemetery, Auburn, AL
This information was last updated 10/06/2023
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Date posted on this site: 06/15/2024
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