Feb. 21, 1924 - Feb. 15, 2013

GOSHEN — Clayton Howard, 88, died early Friday morning, Feb. 15, 2013, at IU Health Goshen Hospital. He had been in failing health two months.

He was born Feb. 21, 1924, in West Liberty, Ky., to Sam and Ruey (Reisner) Howard.

He married Pauline Lykins on April 5, 1943, in Magoffin County, Ky. She preceded him in death Nov. 13, 2004.

He is survived by a daughter, Deloris Jean (Michael) Kelley of Milford; three sons, Larry Dean (Brenda) Howard of Goshen and Bob Ray and Danny Joe Howard, both of Elkhart; 17 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; a sister, Nell (Dorman) Nipper, and a brother, Chester (Beatrice) Howard, both of Ezel, Ky.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Norma Gay Elam; three sons, Tommy, Jay, Clayton Jr. and Michael Howard; four sisters, Mattie Bailey, Josey Bailey and Moddie Stevens and Bonnie Helton; and a brother, Junior Howard.

A Goshen resident since 1969, Clayton worked at Stoutco for 16 years and the Goshen Parks and Recreation for three years.

He was a member of Word of Truth Ministries, Milford.

Friends may call from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013, at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, where a funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 18, 2013. Pastor Michael Kelley, Word of Truth Ministries, will officiate.

Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola.

Memorial contributions may be made to Word of Truth Ministries.

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