ETHEL MARIE HOWELL, 86, of McPherson, formerly of Winfield, passed away Saturday evening, February 14, 2009, at The Cedars Nursing Home in McPherson.

Ethel was born November 30, 1922 in Winfield, Kansas to Eddie and Mae Pinard. She was one of six children born to her mother, Mae. She was raised and educated in the Winfield area.

Ethel was united in marriage to Walter Howell on May 25, 1939, and they raised three children; Leon, Don and Shirley. They were members of the Assembly of God Church in Winfield. Ethel worked as a nurse's aide at William Newton Hospital and also worked in housekeeping at Good Samaritan Village. Mr. Howell preceded her in death on January 26, 2002.

She loved dolls, animals, working in her yard, spending time with family, garage sales and caring for every stray animal that came her way.

Ethel is survived by:
Her children: Leon Howell and wife, Martha of Winfield; Don Howell and wife, Velma of Nampa, ID; and Shirley Stout and husband, George of McPherson;
Her sister: Norma Cox;
Her 7 grandchildren: Lucretia Carver, Kim Howell, Eddy King, Jeff Howell, Troy Howell, Leisa Wolfe, and Kandace Worsham;
Her 11 great-grandchildren: Spencer, Tayler, and Hunter Howell, Chris, Abigail, and Lexy Wolfe, Kelsey Pope, Olivia and Caleb Worsham, Crystal Hunt, and Maria King;
Her 3 great-great-grandchildren: Chloe and Rhyder Howell and Bailey Lankford;
Her sister-in-law: Yvonne Stone; and
Several nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Walter, two sisters, Fern Matthews and Virginia Snook, two brothers, Leroy Pinard and Wayne Stone, and one grandson, Gary King.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, February 18, 2009, at 1:00 P.M. at Miles Funeral Service in Winfield. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home Wednesday morning from 9:00 A.M. until service time.

The family would like to thank Hospice Care of Kansas for their care and support.

Memorials have been established in Mrs. Howell's name for the Cowley County Humane Society and for the Alzheimer's Association. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.