In Memoriam - Pastor Daniel Howell
Daniel and Linda Howell, husband and wife of 22 years, walked together into The Kingdom of Heaven, hand in hand, as inextricably linked as they were in life, into Jesus' loving arms on August 30, 2021 after both contracting and succumbing to Covid-19 within hours of each other.
Pastor Daniel John Howell and Linda Lou Werner were both born in Meadville just 16 months apart and only miles away from their heart's other half. Dan was born to John and Shirley (Roche) Howell in July of 1953, while Linda was born to Frank and Hellen (Walters) Werner in March of 1952. The two met in grade school and both graduated from Randolph-East Mead High School in 1971. Dan then enlisted with the Marine Corps and was stationed in the Philippines. After four years he enlisted with the Navy and would spend the next 14 years in the service of his country until honorably discharged in 1993. However, even though he was far away, his mind was never far from home or the lovely girl he met in grade school. You see, Dan's heart recognized its soulmate from the very beginning and returned to it, reconnecting in 1994. Their incomplete hearts joined together to make one when they were married before their families and God on October 19, 1998.
They spent the next almost 23 years together, doing what they loved. Linda always adored animals. Little did she know that love would be passed down to her children and grandchildren with fervor. She always enjoyed trail riding with friends and had many horses over the years, in addition to her little dogs and parakeets. She was a beautiful seamstress and spent much of her time behind her sewing machine making quilts for newborns, doll clothes and even selling her fine work. She was employed by and retired from Meadville Medical Center's Dietary Department. A lover of plants, Linda could often be found tending to her indoor and outdoor gardens.
Dan and Linda spent much of their time at Wayland Baptist Church where Dan had been the pastor for the last 7 years. They shared a deep love of the Lord and showed that love through helping anyone from close family to near strangers, if they were in need. Dan worked for Pennsylvania Tool and Gages Inc, maintaining machinery. When they weren't working, they enjoyed spending their free time riding in Dan's 1986 Corvette. However, there was one activity they both prized above all others: Sitting together on their couch while watching TV, with their little dogs on their laps, and holding hands.
If you knew them, you knew their love was one for the ages. That's why it should come as no surprise that they left this earth together. Spared the sorrow of learning to live without their heart's other half. Together always, hand in hand, just as they were meant to be.
Dan was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Robert Howell and a sister, Debra Snyder. Linda was preceded in death by her parents.
Dan and Linda are survived by their daughters, Kimberly (Randy) Davison of West Springfield, Pa; Jolene (Erich) Spannuth of Rocky River, Oh; Jennifer Howell of Jacksonville, Fl; and Stephanie Heichel of Meadville, Pa.; Linda's siblings, Carol Ann Werner-Harris and Quinn Werner. They were Grandpa Dan and NiNi to 10 grandchildren, Kenneth, Cody, Zachary and Adrienne Davison, Brittany and Jonathan Howell, Ashley and Justin Probst, Anthony and Kylie Heichel and 7 great-grandchildren, Jayden, Xavier, Jackson, Theo, Elijah, Josiah, and Isabella.
A memorial service for Dan and Linda Howell will be held at Wayland Baptist Church [11603 SOUTH WAYLAND ROADMEADVILLE, PA] on Saturday, September 11 at 10 AM. Rev. Randy Powell [FBC, Franklin] will be officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Anna Shelter, The Humane Society or The American Baptist Society.
The family would like to take this opportunity to urge folks to take Covid-19 seriously so they can love what they have, instead of letting life teach them how to love what they've lost.