John Thomas Howe, Jr.

Belton--- Graveside services for Retired Staff Sergeant John Thomas Howe, Jr., 52, of Killeen, will be Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen. He died Wednesday February 6, 2013 at a Temple Hospital. Mr. Howe was born August 27, 1960 in Chicago, Illinois, the son of John Thomas Howe and Darlene Mae (Wilkins) Howe. He served in the US Army for more than 21 years. While in the Army, he earned many medals ribbons and citations including the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral 2, Army Service Ribbon, and Overseas Service Ribbon. He served two tours in Germany, as well as a tour of duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He retired from the Army in 2005. Mr. Howe moved to Bell County in 1993. He married Melanie S. Marbach, August 26, 1999 in Bell County. He was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter, Theresa Marie Howe, and one brother, Shaun Howe. Survivors include his wife Melanie Howe, two daughters, Jennifer Howe Peel, and husband, Jeff, of Waco, and Michelle Howe Carter, and husband, Ross, of Killeen; four grandchildren, Audrey Theresa Hernandez, Harper Elle Peel, Cooper Layne Peel and Landon Riley Carter; brothers, Anthony Howe, Timothy Howe, and Thomas Howe; sisters, Karen Howe DeGraff and Jolene Weaver; and close friend, Rich Norris. Mr. Howe was a soldier and a leader. He loved music, and cheering on his hometown Chicago sports teams. His grandchildren were his world, and he loved to make you laugh. Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.