Howard Town

Howard Orville Town, age 87, of Greenville, passed away Sunday morning, April 17, 2011 at his home under the loving care of his family and Spectrum Health Hospice. The twin son of Chauncy D. & Marion Helene (Rowley) Town, he was born on March 20, 1924 in Greenville. On July 16, 1943, he married Fern Elizabeth Guinnup, and then served in World War II in the U.S. Army where he was part of the occupation forces in Germany. Following the war, he returned home and began his lifes work as a skilled carpenter, master woodworker, and cabinet builder working for many years with the Carter family in their business, Greenville Construction Company. Howard was a long-time member of Faith Baptist Church and was proud to have helped build both churches the original church on M-57 and the new church on Greenville West Drive. Throughout his life, he delighting in traveling -- especially throughout Europe when he visited his family in Germany. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 55 years, Fern Elizabeth Town on January 20, 1999; his identical twin brother, Harold Albert Town; and a granddaughter-in-law, Julianne Town. Surviving are two sons, Robert Wayne & Charlene Town, Sr. of Belding, James Edward & Hilda Town of Bavaria, Germany; his grandchildren, Rebecca Jo Town, Robert Town Jr. & Chris Young of Cedar Springs, Edward & Edit Town of Bavaria, Germany; his great-grandchildren, Anthony, Tyler, and Jordan Town, all of Cedar Springs, Faithlin Jo Town of Belding, and Andre Town of Bavaria, Germany; a sister-in-law, Betty Jean Town of Greenville; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation is Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at Faith Baptist Church, 315 N. Greenville West Drive, Greenville, where funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday. Pastor Robert Winter will officiate and burial, with military honors rendered by the U.S. Army, will follow at Rest Haven Memory Gardens, Belding. Envelopes for memorial contributions to Faith Baptist Church will be available at the church. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Howard Town, please visit our flower store.