"I worked with Zeke at Trescomp. What a wonderful man he was. He always was so uplifting. Thoughts and prayers to the family!"
In loving memory of
R.E. "Zeke" Howerter
May 23, 1934 - September 16, 2022
Rolland E. 'Zeke' Howerter, age 88, of Quincy, died on Friday, September 16, 2022 at 10:45 am in Quincy Healthcare and Senior Living.
Rolland was born May 23, 1934 in Fulton County, Illinois, the son of Edward and Zelda Fickel Howerter. He married Carol Kreider, his high school piano accompanist, on August 23, 1954 in Ellisville, IL.
Zeke was a 1952 graduate of Spoon River Valley High School in Fairview, IL. He attended Olivet Nazarene College where he majored in voice. He was called to be the director of music at Lafayette Park Church of the Nazarene in St. Louis, Ferndale Michigan Church of the Nazarene, and Webster Groves Church of the Nazarene. He and Carol moved to Quincy where he served as the music director at Immanuel Church of the Nazarene in Quincy. He then joined Quincy Body Rebuilders as an autobody repairman. He later worked for Quintron and Trescomp before retiring in 1996.
Zeke was a member of Central Baptist Church where he was choir director and a member of the Loyal Workers Sunday School Class. An avid singer and song leader, Zeke sang at innumerable weddings and funerals. He and Carol were in the gospel singing group, The Gospel Truth, with Charlie and Marilyn Phillips, touring for 9 years, with a highlight being a 10 day tour of Hawaii.
Survivors, in addition to his wife, Carol, include three children, Donald E. (Wendy) Howerter of Chatham, IL, John F. (Tracy) Howerter of Rochester, IL, and Cathy S. Howerter of Quincy, IL; five grandchildren, Kari (Jeremy) James, Genoa, IL, Lauren (Chad) Farder of Rochester, IL, Ryan (Sara) Howerter of Clarksville, TN, Jay (Katherine) Howerter of Rochester, IL, Miranda Eston of Chicago, IL; 10 great grandchildren, Emma, Levi and Noah James, Calvin Farder, Elijah, Josiah, Lily, Mark and William Howerter, and Kaleb Eston; two sisters, Betty (Bert) Hollis of Sterling, IL, Avis (Paul) Blankenship of Kankakee, IL; a sister-in-law, Becky Howerter of Michigan; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Rolland was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Roger Howerter.
The Howerter family would like the thank the nurses and all the staff at Quincy Healthcare and Senior Living for the loving care Zeke received.
Memorial Service: 11:00 am on Wednesday, September 21, 2022 at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home, with Pastor Jason Sommerfeldt officiating.
Visitation: 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2022 at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home.
Memorial donations may be made to Central Baptist Church. Memorial Donations may be made online at https://memorials.hansenspear.com
www.hansenspear.com
Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.
Tributes
"Carol, John, Don, Cathy, and families, We are so sorry to hear about the passing of Zeke. He was such a great man! We have so many wonderful memories of him. It was such a honor to know him! Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. "
"My condolences. He would have got a kick out of John telling me we were gonna be neighbors when in fact they were moving into the house we were moving out of. I?ve stopped by many times to meet them and visit the house but they were never home. John did you get your sense of humor from him? Would have liked to have met him. Take care. Howerter family. Kent Ferguson "
"My sincere sympathy goes out to you Carol and your family for your loss. He and Roger are probably singing and looking for mushrooms. Hugs and prayers"
"Carol and family I'm sorry for your loss. I'm sure he's in heaven telling jokes and popping bubble wrap. He was a Great man and Zeek will be missed. "
"ZEKE GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN SINGING YOUR WAY THRU THOSE PEARLY GATES MY SYMPATHY TO CAROL AND FAMILY!!"