Jerry R. Howard

December 3, 1947 - December 17, 2020

Jerry R. Howard, 73, of New Castle, passed away on the afternoon of Thursday, December 17, 2020 at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie following a brief illness. He was born December 3, 1947 in Tipton, Indiana, a son of the late Russell and Francis Howard. Jerry was a 1966 graduate of New Castle Chrysler High School. He enjoyed being a mechanic for many years in New Castle before finishing his career at Ryobi in Shelbyville. Not one to sit around during retirement, Jerry currently worked at O’Reilly Auto Parts. He married the love of his life, Barbara Hollars, on April 2, 1983, and together they enjoyed 37 years of marriage. Jerry was a people person and never knew a stranger. He loved to talk and greatly enjoyed the fellowship each morning of his McDonald’s cronies. He was a giver and couldn’t pass up a person in need without helping. He loved spending time at the lake, boating, fishing, gardening, and going NASCAR Races. He loved car shows and cruise-ins. Jerry loved his family and especially his “perfect” granddaughters whom he took on vacation every year. Those left to cherish Jerry’s memory include his loving wife, Barbara Howard; three daughters, Kim (Todd) Cowan of Mooreland, Tracy (Heath) Hudnut of Sulphur Springs, and Aime (Paul) Groce of Springport; three granddaughters, Nicole (Todd) Pierce of New Castle, Tiffany (Patrick) Hilburt of Sulphur Springs, and Shelby; three great-grandchildren, Sarah and Taylor Pierce and Grant Hilburt; a brother, Jeff (Barbara) Howard and a sister, Cheryl (Gary) Abshire both of Tipton along with several brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Dale Watkins and his father and mother-in-law, Walter and Elva Hollars. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at Sproles Family Funeral Home with Pastor Randy Tooley officiating. Burial will follow in South Mound Cemetery West Lawn Addition. Friends may call from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm Monday at the funeral home. Memorial Contributions may be offered to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org. You may send the family a personal condolence at www.sprolesfamilycares.com. The Sproles family and staff are honored to serve the family of Jerry R. Howard.