STEELEVILLE – Thelma June Howard, 90, of Steeleville, passed away at 3:27 PM, Friday, February 17, 2017, at her home in Steeleville.

Thelma was born on August 14, 1926, in Willisville the daughter of Henry and Julia (Snider) Heine. She married Merle E. Howard on September 27, 1942 at Perryville, Missouri, and they shared 51 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on June 13, 1994. She was a retired mine clerk from Consolidated Coal Company. June was a member of the Steeleville Baptist Church and A.A.R.P., and a member of the Steeleville Senior Citizens.

June is survived by 1 daughter; Carol Lee, of Austin, Texas, 3 grandchildren; Aaron Lee, Zach Lee, and Lauren Lee, and 1 great grandchild; Lily Lee Decker. She is also survived by a sister; Neola Blair, of East Moline, Illinois, 2 step – sisters; Joan Lindsey, of Carbondale, and Vivian McCrary, of Steeleville, 2 half – sisters; Karen Ramsey, of Port St. Lucie, Florida, and Judy Rieckenberg, of Percy.

In addition to her husband Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, 1 sister; Marie Tanner, and 1 brother; Buddy Heine.

Funeral services will be held at 3 PM, Sunday, February 26, 2017, at the Steeleville Baptist Church with Rev. Scott Foshie officiating, and burial will follow at the Percy Village Cemetery, Percy. Visitation will be held on Sunday afternoon from 2 to 3 PM at the church. Memorials may be made to the Steeleville Baptist Church. Wilson's Funeral Home in Steeleville is entrusted with the arrangements.