Luella Howell

December 24, 2010

BINGHAM TOWNSHIP — Luella H. Howell, 82, of Bingham, died Friday, Dec. 24, 2010, at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City.Luella was born in Central Lake on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 1928, the daughter of Frank and Blanche (Dawson) Blakely. She grew up on the family farm and attended Ellsworth High School. She graduated from Traverse City Central High School. In 1949, she received her Registered Nurse diploma from Butterworth Hospital School of Nursing in Grand Rapids, and then worked at Munson Hospital for a number of years.In 1950, she married Keith Shugart of Bingham, and participated in their farm operation until his death in 1980. In 1986, she married The Rev. Gaylord Howell, who died in 1999.Luella belonged to the Hilldale Farm Bureau group, serving as an officer for several years; was a loyal member of Keswick United Methodist Church; and was active as a 4-H leader for 15 years. She has enjoyed many crafts over the years and especially enjoyed flower gardening and china painting. She also enjoyed spending winters in Lake Placid, Fla., until recently.Surviving is a son, Bradley (Molly) Shugart, of Traverse City; her daughter, Rena (John) Fraser, of the Bingham area; her three grandchildren, Laura (Jason) Torrey, Shelly (Dan) Stanton and Stephanie (Matt) Monroe. Also surviving are her great-grandchildren, Alayna, Justin and Kelin Torrey and Haily and Alyssa Stanton.In addition to her husbands, Luella was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Thiel, Alton and Homer Blakely; a sister, Marjorie Disbrow; and her granddaughter, Kari Hunt.Visitation for Luella will take place from 5 until 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 29, at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 30, at Keswick United Methodist Church, with Rev. Chuck Williams officiating. Burial will take place in Bingham Community Cemetery in the spring.Memorial contributions in Luella's name may be directed to Keswick United Methodist Church.Please share your memories of Luella with her family by way of her online guest book at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.