Donald H. Howe Jr. passed away due to Covid-19 pneumonia at age 65 on January 18, 2021 at St. Rose Hospital Siena. Donald was born April 29, 1955 in Chicago Heights, Illinois. He is survived by his wife of 24 years Maria E. Howe and son Michael P. Howe; his stepmom Marilyn Howe Beloate and her husband James Beloate; sister Theresa Howe Mcfaddin; and a host of nieces, nephew, great-nieces and nephews. Donald was preceded in death by his father Donald Sr.; mother Margaret Jean; brother Mark; and sister Kim.
At the young age of 10, Donald suffered a massive brain tumor in his right frontal lobe; doctors did not think he would survive the surgery to remove this brain tumor along with a portion of his right frontal lobe. Well he did survive and dedicated his life to learning as much as he could about lots of things. Donald went on to join the Marine Corps and became a Corpsman for the U.S. Navy. After this he became a police officer in Warrenville, Illinois and if this was not enough, he became a Paramedic (this was his favorite career); and he was a Respiratory Therapist for Loyola University Medical Center. Some of these careers were cut short due to his uncontrollable seizures at that time. Donald was unstoppable; he loved to help people and it was his passion for life that inspired me, his wife of 24 years, to become a nurse. He would tell me, "It’s never too late to do what you feel you are called to do." Donald was truly a one of kind Husband, Soulmate and Father; we were blessed to have him in our lives. Rest in peace my Love.
I am home in Heaven, dear ones;
All's so happy, all's so bright!
There's perfect joy and beauty
In this everlasting light.
All the pain and grief are over,
Every restless tossing passed;
I am now at peace forever.
Safely home in Heaven at last.
Did you wonder I so calmly
Trod the Valley of the Shade?
Oh! but Jesus' love illumined
Every dark and fearful glade.
And He came Himself to meet me
In that way so hard to tread;
And with Jesus' arm to lean on
Could I have one doubt or dread?
Then you must not grieve so sorely,
For I love you dearly still;
Try to look beyond earth's shadows,
Pray to trust our Father's will.
There is work still waiting for you,
So you must not idle stand;
Do your work while life remaineth;
You shall rest in Jesus' hand.
When that work is all completed,
He will gently call you home;
Oh! the rapture of the meeting!
Oh! the joy to see you come!
By Harry VanderArk
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