On Wednesday, April 24, 2019, Mr. Harold D. “Sonny” Howard Sr, 80, Rochester, was surrounded by his loving family when he passed away at 8 a.m. He joined his precious wife Maridean who passed away about six weeks ago on March 7, and she was greatly missed.

In Hazard, Ky. on May 24, 1938, Mr. Howard was born. He was a treasured son of  Troy and Launa Stacy Howard. Growing up as the oldest son of the Howard family, he spent his childhood with two brothers Denton and Olan and two sisters Claudette and Janice.

At  Argos, he married the love of his life  Miss Maridean Kaye Scrogham,  Dec. 14, 1957.  They  shared over 61 years of life’s adventures and were both so very proud of their six children three sons and three daughters all college graduates.  Their family legacy continued to grow with the added blessings of nine grandchildren and four great-grands.

As an entrepreneur with a strong work ethic, he was the owner and operator of SunBoy Post Buildings of Rochester. A commercial contractor he built custom post buildings.  As an expert carpenter and master craftsman, Sonny could build nearly anything imaginable from boats to glider swings and other special jobs requested by his customers.

A talented musician he could play the harmonica, guitar, and piano. Each year he planted and maintained a beautiful garden that annually produced a bountiful harvest. Mrs. Howard froze and canned the produce for winter’s use. During earlier years they enjoyed taking the family on camping and fishing trips from Minnesota to Tennessee. They also explored locales from the Carolinas to Canada. The togetherness of his family was always important to Grandpa Sonny.  Following their retirements, they enjoyed wintering in Florida.

Left to cherish his memory are three daughters: Rhonda Schiffel of Warsaw; Fran Miller, Sonya Howard, both of Rochester; three sons: Harold  “Buddy” Howard Jr., Randy Howard and wife Sandy, Jeff Howard,  all of Rochester; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; two brothers: Rev. Denton Howard and wife Gloria of Jonesboro, and Rev. Olan Howard and wife Betty of Argos; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding Sonny in death are his parents, wife Maridean and two sisters Janice Collins and Claudette Stevens.

A celebration of the life of Mr.  Harold D. “Sonny” Howard Sr, will be at 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 28, in the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 West 18^th St., Rochester. Rev. Denton Howard and Rev. Olan Howard will officiate. Friends may visit with the family from 4-7 p.m. on Saturday and one hour prior to the service in the funeral home on Sunday.  Interment will be in New Oak Hill Cemetery in Plymouth.