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Merl C. Howard Merl C. Howard, 81, a long-time resident of Ashland passed away Thursday, July 31, 2003 in the home of his daughter, Pamela Nelson of Ashland. He was born September 12, 1921 to Benjamin Franklin Howard and Olive Howard in Round Valley, Idaho. Mr. Howard moved to Ashland for the first time in 1935, after his father's death. He attended junior high school in Ashland while living with his grandmother. He returned to Idaho soon thereafter. He worked as a ranch hand for the Civilian Conservation Corps and for Weyerhaeuser until he enlisted in the Army Air Force. He rose to the rank of Tech Sergeant with the 510th Fighter Squadron, 405th Group as a propeller specialist. During W.W. II he served in the U.S., England, Normandy, Northern France, the Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe. He was a part of one of the turning points in W.W.II, the D-Day invasion, as well as the events that followed, leading to the allied victory in Europe. He was honorably discharged in November 1945. After W.W.II, he returned to Ashland, and worked for Weyerhaeuser Corp. He married Patricia M.L. McCoy in 1947, and they had two daughters. Though he and his wife divorced, they continued to be great friends and allies for the rest of their lives. In the early 1950s, he opened A-1 Cabinet Shop, and eventually started building homes. He built many homes, commercial buildings and housing complexes in Ashland and the Southern Oregon area. He was the building contractor for the current Ashland Daily Tidings building. He built his last custom home in his 60s. He continued to build furniture and do small construction jobs until 2 years ago. He was an avid outdoorsman. He was a prolific reader with particular interests in World history, Northwest history, the classics and the natural sciences. His ex-wife preceded Mr. Howard in death. His companion of many years Gail Schmaltz also preceded him in death. Mr. Howard is survived by his good friend and companion of recent years, Lois Severson. Family members that survive him are two daughters, Denise Howard Moon of Vancouver, Wash., and Pamela Nelson of Ashland; two sisters, Jane Roberts of Auburn, Calif., and Aloha Hays; and one grandchild. Mr. Howard is also survived by his 20-year old cat, "Mr. Cat." At the time of his death Mr. Howard was in the home he built for his daughter and her husband, surrounded by furniture he built for them. Those who wish may pay their respects from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, August 5, 2003 at Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home, Ashland. A gathering of family and friends will be held to celebrate his life, Saturday, September 13, 2003, 4 p.m., at the home of his daughter, Pamela Nelson. Please call 541-488-3178. LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -