Date of Death: April 20, 2020
Service Details
A celebration of Howard’s life is planned for later this year.
Obituary Notice
Howard Marion Curtis, 92, of Three Rivers, died peacefully Monday, April 20, 2020. He was born Dec. 26, 1927, in Volinia Township, Cass County, to Fred A. and Leatha Mae (Hull).
Howard served during WWII in the Navy, trained as a Marine and served the Army Air Corps.
On Jan. 24,1953, he married Beverly Jean Keeler in Dowagiac. They raised five children while moving around Michigan for his 32-year engineering and construction management career with General Telephone, GTE. He retired in 1987.
Howard loved music. He joyfully added resonant bass to the family barbershop quartet, church and other choirs, on stage, and with SPEBSQSA; he played tuba in a German band. Howard was a church elder, deacon and trustee, Kiwanis president, and lifetime member of the Elks. He and Bev traveled extensively. Howard relished playing golf and worked on Habitat for Humanity homes well into his 80s.
Six brothers and three sisters all preceded Howard in death.
He is survived by his wife, Beverly; children, Stephen and Emilie (Hagerman) Curtis, Michael and Denise (Brinker) Curtis, Jeffery and Jane (Parmeter) Curtis, Andrea Curtis Rothney, David and Andrea (Gerlach) Curtis; 12 grandchildren; more than 11 great-grandchildren; in-laws Kelly Roberts Curtis, Ric Rothney, Cindy Moore Rahn; and dozens of treasured nieces and nephews.
Additional Information
Memorials donations may be directed to to Habitat for Humanity or the First Presbyterian Church Music Fund. Envelopes available and may also be dropped off to Hohner Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Please Leave Your Condolences
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I have known Mr. Curtis since I was eleven years old. The years in Boy Scouts gave me a chance to get to know him and respect him all of the rest of his years. My prayers to him and his family.
Sorry to hear of your loss Steve my he rest in peace.
Dear Bev, Steve and Andrea, Howard will be fondly remembered. I have great memories of time spent together on our Alaskan Cruise, being caroled by the family at out home and his giving heart. A good, good man! Sending sincere condolences to all.
Thanks Janine. Good to hear from you. I will read this to my mom.– Andrea.
We are so very sorry for your loss. Howard was a wonderful man and a great singer. I frequently play our copy of your quartet. My favorite is There Was More of Her on the Chair. Prayers for your entire family.
Our thoughts are with you,Beverly and all your family, as we remember Howard. A pleasure to have known him
and enjoyed his music. Remembering fondly our days working together at FNB with the Curtis family.
God Bless, Buck & Marlene Roberts
Hi Marlene. So nice to hear from you as a chance for my mom and me to remember you, always lovely and gracious, sitting outside Don and Nelson’s offices.
Thank you for sharing your message.
Please accept our condolences and know that we are grieving with you. I will always remember Uncle Howard as a man with a warm heart and a big smile and laugh; he lived life to the full!
Love to all, Kim and family
We are so Sorry for Your Loss, I grew up hearing Howards name in our home for years…as My Dad and Husband worked with him at the Phone Company. My Dad was Doc Bartholomew and My husband is Gene Ehrhardt.
Our Prayers are with the Whole Family.