Howard K. Hughes

HOWARD KEELE HUGHES, born January 15, 1933, was taken by angels during the early morning hours of November 10, 2009. He was a 1951 graduate of Smithville High School in Missouri. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served during the Korean Conflict, and was honorably discharged in 1954. Afterward he joined the Navy Reserves, and later the Air Force, which he was medically discharged from in 1956. He held various jobs throughout his life, but retired from GTE in 1993 as a Senior Planning Engineer. After retirement, he enjoyed traveling, and spent time in Italy, Austrailia, the Phillipine Islands, and Japan, as well as many places of interest in the United States. He will be remembered as being kind and generous, for his ability to fit in with any crowd, and for his wry sense of humor. He was a wonderful husband and father, and a good friend to many. Preceded in death by parents, Stanton W. Hughes and Vera Lee Meyer, and beloved wife, Patricia D. Hughes. Survived by brother, Stanton W. Hughes, Jr. of Lakeview, Ark., daughters, Diane Goatey (Jeff) of Columbia, Ill., and Debbie Atwood (Mitch) of Kansas City, MO, granddaughters, Jaclyn Wolanski (Christian) of Havelock, NC, Theresa Goatey of Columbia, Ill., Rachel and Skyler Atwood of Kansas City, MO, and great granddaughter, Aubrie Wolanski of Havelock, NC. In lieu of flowers, the family would be honored by memorial donations to: Family Hospice, 5110 W Main St., Belleville, IL 62226, or the Mascoutah Senior Center, 227 Market St., Mascoutah, IL 62258.