Arlene June Howell, 88

Arlene June Howell went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, December 12, 2013 at her home in Pullman. She was 88. 

Arlene was born May 9, 1925 in Troy, Idaho to Charles D. "Doc" and Esther P. Thompson Swecker. She grew up and attended school at Deary where she played on the girls basketball team. She married C. Marvin Howell in Moscow on May 15, 1942. They made their home in Moscow until 1966 when they moved to Orofino where Arlene worked at the dry cleaners for a time. In 1986 they moved to Rathdrum where Arlene managed the Humane Society Thrift Store, and in 2006 returned to the Moscow-Pullman area. Arlene was an accomplished seamstress and worked for a time for the Pfaff Sewing Machine Company demonstrating the product. She also worked at the Moscow Safeway Store for a time and was a "flagger" for the highway department. 

She was a 4-H Leader, taught her children how to can fruits and vegetables, milked cows, and will always be remembered for her "do it yourself" attitude. She enjoyed camping, crafts, painting (on canvas, saws, and tole painting). She spent the last few months of her life at the Good Hope Adult Family Home in Pullman.

Mr. Howell died in July of 2008. Surviving are her children: Daughters Marva (Jay) McCoy of Moscow, Cheryl (Gary) Cass of Springfield, Virginia, Melody (Chuck) Sloppy of Spokane and son Larry (Linda) Howell of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. She also leaves nine grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and seven great great grandchildren along with her sister, Verle Marshall of Springboro, Ohio. In addition to her husband, she was also preceded in death by her brothers, Roger, Stan, Ron and Loren Swecker.

The service to celebrate Arlene's life will be held Saturday, December 21, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at Short's Funeral Chapel in Moscow. Her son-in-law, Jay McCoy, will officiate, and burial will be at the Avon Cemetery near Deary. A dinner and time of fellowship will follow at Paradise Hills Church of God, 510 Northwood Dr., Moscow.

Viewing will be at Short's Funeral Chapel on Thursday and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. both days.

The family suggests memorials be made to Good Hope Adult Family Home, 320 SE Nebraska St., Pullman, WA 99163, or to Gideon's International, Palouse Hills Camp, P.O. Box 8553, Moscow, Idaho 83843.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Short's Funeral Chapel, Moscow, and online condolences may be sent towww.shortsfuneralchapel.net.