Sherry Jane Howard, 83, of Walnut Hill, passed away at 12:09 a.m., Friday, January 26, 2024, at St. Louis University Hospital.
She was born April 4, 1940, in Centralia, the daughter of Alvin and Martha Margaret (Owens) Melton. She was a graduate of Centralia High School and was a member of the First Apostolic Church in Centralia.
Sherry is survived by her children, Lonnie Howard and wife Reba of Walnut Hill, Julia Curtner of Walnut Hill, Connie Alderdice of Westmoreland, Tennessee, Gayla Harnacke of Havana, Illinois, Jason Howard of Walnut Hill, and Jeremy Howard and fiancée Chandra Dame of Walnut Hill; twelve grandchildren, Adam Curtner, Josh Curtner, Sherry Kwapinski, Justin Riddle, Zachary Riddle, Comalea Riddle, Emmanuel Riddle, Brannon Harnacke, Mariscia Fairow, Dillon Howard, Brittany Pitts, and Emily Howard; 26 great-grandchildren; three brothers, William “Junior” Melton, Steven Melton, and Lloyd Melton; and three sisters, Shirley Troutt, Caroline Hill, and Louise Tate.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two grandchildren, Andrea Carter and Tiffany Carr; great-granddaughter, Victoria Rheam; brother, Robert Melton; and two sisters, Phyllis Toroum and an infant sister.
Funeral services for Ms. Howard will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 1, 2024, at the Osborn Funeral Home in Dix, Illinois, with Pastor Jonathan Urshan officiating. Burial will follow at Zion Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 31, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., at the funeral home. Memorial gifts may be made to the family of Mrs. Howard and will be accepted at the service, or by mail to the Osborn Funeral Home, P.O. Box 130, Dix, Illinois 62830. Online condolences may be made at www.osbornfuneral.com, or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.
