Nona O. Howard, age 90, of the Good Samaritan Home, formerly of Sterling, IL and Reno, NV, died on Monday, April 4, 2011 in the Home. She was born on February 11, 1921 in Prophetstown, IL, the daughter of Samuel & Emma (Olson) Olinger. Nona was a graduate of Sterling High School in Sterling, IL. She married Earl S. Howard on March 29, 1941 in Clinton, Iowa. He preceded her in death on July 4 of 2005. She was of the Methodist Faith. Nona worked as a school secretary at Thome School in Rock Falls, IL for over 20 years. She was kind and helpful to all she came in contact with.

Family was the most important thing to Nona. She did all that she could to help make her family’s life happy. One of her favorite hobbies was putting together photo albums for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Nona and Earl enjoyed traveling and living in Reno, NV during their retirement.

She is survived by:
TWO CHILDREN: Karen Cox of Reno, NV and Judy Fessler and her husband Wayne of Quincy
GRANDCHILDREN: William H. Cox, Suann Cox, Kalyn Denning, and Matthew H. Fessler.
FOUR GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN
TWO BROTHERS: William Olinger and his wife Donna and Dewey Olinger along with numerous nieces, nephews cousins and other relatives also survive.

In addition to her husband Earl, Nona was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel Olinger and Emma Farrell and also a sister: Janet Chappius.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 8, 2011 at 11:30 in the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home by Father Roy Bauer. Burial will take place at a later date in Riverside Cemetery in Sterling, IL. Visitation will be held on Friday morning at the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home from 10:30 until the time of the services. Memorials may be made to the Good Samaritan Home or to Alzheimer’s Research.