Obituary: Michael A. Howell, 60

Michael A. Howell, 60, died Oct. 17, 2011. at home after a long illness with his family at his side.

Mike was born May 7, 1951, in Everett, Wash. to Doug and Jackie Howell. He was the oldest son of five children, which includes sisters Loretta and Sue, brothers Marvin and Ronnie. Mike graduated from Forks High School in 1969. He married Rinda Kay Winger in 1969, and they made their home in Forks, Wash.

Mike served in the Army from September 1970 to September 1973, serving overseas in Germany where sons George and Michael were born. After completing his military service, they made their home in Forks where son Rolland was born.

Mike worked in the logging industry in Washington until the family moved to Metlakata in 1978 where he continued to work in logging. Mike worked in logging camps throughout Southeast as well as Seward and Yakutat. The couple made their home in Wrangell in 1990 where Mike transitioned to the seafood industry.

Mike was a member of the Elks, Veterans, NRA, and Ducks Unlimited. He loved to hunt and fish with his sons, making multiple trips up the river to moose camp.

Mike is survived by his wife Rinda Kay, sons George, Michael (JoDee), and Rolland (Jayme), six grandchildren, ChariDee, Aaron, KayDee, Kaytlin and Robyn Lane all of Wrangell and Jack Howell of Klamath Falls, Ore., one great-grandchild Merrick Ramero, sisters Loretta (Bill) Eades of Yakutat, Sue (Jim) Nelson of Wrangell, and brothers Marvin (Sue) of Snohomish, Wash., Ron (Leslie) of Forks, brother in law Dan (Wendy) Winger of Arizona, 13 nieces and nephews and 19 great-nieces and nephews.