Mrs. Nancy Howard, 75, of 15501 N. 400 W. Macy, passed away at 3:45 PM, Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 at Memorial Hospital, South Bend. Nancy was born in Litchfield, IL, on September 28, 1936, to Ralph and Mary Henson Keele. Growing up west of Rochester in Richland Township, as one of seven children, she shared her childhood with two sisters, Esther and Marilyn, and four brothers, Warren, Don, Chuck and Leroy. In 1954, with great pride, she graduated with her class from Richland Center High School. On August 3, 1973 Nancy married Carl Howard in Cave City, IL. Together they shared nearly 39 years of life's adventures. They enjoyed eating out, usually at Tweedle-Dee's on Friday nights. Applebee's and Golden Corral rated high on their list, too. They made beef jerky, searched for treasures at yard sales, loved the 30% coupons at Kohl's, and went to the boat to play Lucky 7's. In the earlier years Carl and Nancy put out a truck patch garden large enough to share the bountiful harvest with family, special friends and maybe a deer or two that ventured by to sample the produce. The harvest brought forth opportunities to can and the family enjoyed Nancy's specialties: vegetable soup, salsa and pickles. To relax, Nancy listened to the music of Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney and Alabama. As a computer buff, she played yahtzee, rummy and solitaire. Nancy kept abreast of all the news of all of her friends with Facebook. As the matriarch overseeing four generations she adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and loved the good times they shared making wonderful memories. Nancy is lovingly remembered by her husband, Carl; 2 daughters: Debra Hull & husband Marvin of Boise, Idaho and their children Heidi Howard and Rachel Hull, and Teresa Friedman of Jasper; 6 sons: Ed Reed of Macy and his daughter Amber Lynette Reed, Michael Reed and companion Joan Redding of Rochester and their children Trisha Lewis, Lindsay Adams, Cassie Reed, Kylie Redding, Ricky Howard & wife Rebecca of Rochester, Timothy Howard & wife Betty of Tippecanoe, David Michael Howard of Rochester, Todd Allen Howard & wife Debbie of Rochester; 29 great grandchildren; 2 sisters: Esther L. Lipe of Nokomis, IL and Marilyn Williams of Logansport. She was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter-in-law, Marlee Reed, and 4 brothers: Warren, Don, Chuck, Leroy. Pastor David Welsh will officiate services. Interment will be in the Athens Hoover Cemetery.